Magazine: Aug, Sept, Oct 2026
Who rules Britain?
On Monday 22nd June I, like many of us, learnt that our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was resigning. As you read this our new PM should be settling in – and, as I write this, it seems to be a settled fact that it will be Andy Burnham.
That very Monday morning, through no plan of my own (other than that I was already reading the Old Testament book, named after its author, ‘Daniel’ in my personal daily Bible reading) I read the following verses from the Bible.
Daniel, says this following a vision given to Him by the Lord (the one true God):
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are His.
He changes times and seasons;
He deposes kings and raises up others.” (Daniel 2:20-21)
Daniel was, at the time, working (not by his own choice – but that’s another story) for Nebuchadnezzar, the King of the ancient Babylonian Empire. And what he states is a fact that the Bible repeatedly stresses – that everyone, throughout history and across the world, who holds a position of power, ultimately only has that power because the Lord has given it to them. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself states that at His trial by Pilate – events recorded in John 19:10-11.
Furthermore, just as the Lord has given them that power, so too He has the authority to take it away from them.
In Britain, we thankfully live in a democracy where, through voting for our MPs, we elect our Government. But Daniel reminds us that ultimately even in a democracy, the result is in God’s hands. He is sovereign and He rules – ‘He deposes’ and He ‘raises up.’
There is then a challenge here for our new Prime Minister (and every world leader). They must not lose sight of who has put them there. And to whom, they are ultimately responsible. Yes, in a democracy, of course to the electorate, but even more so, to the Lord Himself.
That truth should encourage them to be humble – humble in service of the nation, but most of all humble before the Lord.
It is a wise world leader who is never so proud that they reject their need to prayerfully ask the Lord for His help.
So then, there is a challenge for our political leaders. But there is also a comfort and a challenge to us.
The comfort is to remember that, however things may seem at times, the Lord is still in charge, and is working out His plan for world history – a plan that brings glory to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and is for the good of Jesus’ people (everyone who puts their faith in Him). Those are actually themes that run through the book of Daniel.
Having said that, at times it may not look like God is in charge.
In Daniel’s own day it may well not have looked like that – he was a prisoner of war in Babylon, far away from his home in Jerusalem (hence my comment earlier about him not being a servant of Nebuchadnezzar by choice).
And, think about Jesus’ life on earth – betrayed, subjected to an unjust trial, tortured and executed. How could it look like God was in charge? But He was, and Jesus made that clear – hence His comment to Pilate – ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it was given you from above’ (John 19:11).
Despite how things may seem at the time, the Lord has a plan which He is putting into practice. He, our loving God, knows what He is doing.
The challenge for us comes in terms of how we relate to those who ‘rule over us.’ St Paul wrote these words to his colleague and friend Timothy:
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Christians then, are urged to pray for those who govern this, and every nation. To pray that the Lord would direct their thinking, their actions and their lives, so that we can live ‘peaceful and quiet lives’ as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus ‘in all godliness and holiness.’
So then, irrespective of our political views, let’s remember to pray for our new Prime Minister. And to pray that he would look, not only to the best interests of our nation which the Lord has given him authority over, but look to the Lord Himself.
God bless,
David