This is I Am in Control Day.

Who is in control at your house? At school? We all know people who are in control. They are the ones who make the decisions, come up with the plans, and get stuff done. Maybe that describes you!

In certain situations, it’s good to know that somebody is in control—like when you are flying in an airplane or going to the dentist. You certainly want to know that a trained and experienced pilot controls the plane, or that a professional dentist is about to fill in your cavity.

We all like to feel as though we have control. We like to feel free to make our own decisions and choices. But we can quickly get into trouble when we believe that “I am in control.” Take for example, King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1-4). He was king of the greatest empire of the world at that time. Everyone had to obey his every command. Nebuchadnezzar answered to no one, or at least he thought so.

One day as he was congratulating himself on all his great accomplishments, God said, “You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. . . . You will live in the fields of the wild animals, and will eat grass like a cow.” And King Nebuchadnezzar did just that for seven long years. You see, the king had forgotten an important fact. Although he knew about the God of Israel, Nebuchadnezzar didn’t really think that God was in charge. Only after living like a cow for seven years did the king come to his senses and recognize that God was truly in control.

So rather than celebrate “I Am in Control Day,” take time to acknowledge and thank the One who really is in charge of everything!

All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth (Daniel 4:35).

To Do

Read King Nebuchadnezzar’s praise song to God in Daniel 4:34, 35. Think about all the ways God is in control right now.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Hot Dog Day. Enjoy one of your favorite weenies!

1867—U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

1932—Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic.

1964—”Jeopardy” debuted on NBC-TV.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.