Staying Strong in a Hostile World 2024 - Week 6
On finding out that Daniel was not a "Super Believer" and how that might comfort you in your journey | Staying Strong in a Hostile World 2024 | Book of Daniel
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If It’s All You Can Do, It’s Okay to Just Pray
From Flannel Boards to Science Fiction
Confession.
Daniel’s story in chapters 1-6 intimidates me.
We learned about his incredible faithfulness to Yahweh, the God of Israel. We saw how, with God’s divine intervention, Daniel overcame great trials and was promoted into the highest ranks of his enemy’s government. His devotion to his Lord influenced the great Babylonian ruler King Nebuchadnezzar so much that the king humbled himself and declared that Yahweh is the one and most high God above all other gods. Such was Daniel’s impact while in exile from his beloved Jerusalem.
I can’t touch that level of faithfulness.
I’m just a night owl believer who is “hooting” into cyberspace, as I’ve felt led by Jesus, and I’m praying that my posts in this publication may help an individual or two find their way to a closer walk with Jesus. Or, a brand new walk with Him.
As much as I love reading the accounts of Daniel and his three companions, I’m intimidated. But, after chapter 6, something happens to Daniel. The leader of our small group said, we’ve moved “from flannel board Daniel into science fiction Daniel”. I like that phrase.
Last week, we looked at the first “science fiction” (visions) in chapter 7. Daniel was frightened by the visions that came to him for they foretold changes to the powers of the world.
This week, my small group and I discussed Daniel chapters 8 and 9. Daniel was terrified, confused, and he couldn’t interpret the newest visions. He asked the Lord for help. Daniel leaned into God in prayer for that was all he could do.
Daniel Chapter 8
In chapter 8 [ read here ], a petrified Daniel cried out to Yahweh in prayer. God sent him the archangel Gabriel to interpret the visions, demonstrating how much He cared about Daniel in his stress-filled moments. Gabriel’s arrival cemented in Daniel’s heart that he could continue to trust God no matter what would happen in the future.
Gabriel’s interpretation of the visions wasn’t the best of news. The changes in worldly powers involved the empires of the Medes, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The rise of the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great included the regional ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who caused Yahweh’s people tremendous suffering and distress. [ Read about him here. ]
Gabriel even said the final part of the vision Daniel was to seal up for it was “for many days to come”. I can’t imagine how hard that was on Daniel. He couldn’t talk about it to even his closest friends. Daniel went back to work feeling distressed.
But, God was faithful. He answered Daniel’s prayer. And, we learn that at this point in his story all Daniel could do was pray, and that was okay.
That’s an example I know I can follow. I don’t feel intimidated by Daniel’s example of leaning into God through prayer when times are distressing.
Daniel Chapter 9
Chapter 9 occurs during the first year of Darius (see ch. 6). Here, Daniel comes across a passage in the book of Jeremiah that speaks of the restoration of the Jews from exile. Daniel pleads with God for forgiveness on behalf of his people. He appeals to the great name of God and His covenant faithfulness in hopes that He will return the captives to Jerusalem.
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Da 9:1–19.
~Logos Bible Software
In chapter 9 [ read here ], Daniel gives us another example of how we can pray. The entire chapter is filled with Daniel’s prayerful lament for God’s people, confessing their sins (and his), and crying out for God’s forgiveness with a deeply repentant heart.
Daniel 9:4-6 (Version)
4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
When we follow Daniel’s example to pray for all of God’s people, confessing their sins with a repentant heart, and seeking God’s forgiveness, we take our eyes off of ourselves. We’ll see things from God’s perspective. And, Lord God knows the church, the bride of Christ, sure needs a lot of prayer in these days.
Let’s pray that God’s people will keep their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith, and will turn from any disobedient ways and daily follow Him in His truth.
Dear readers, there’s so much more we can learn from Daniel chapters 8 and 9. This week, I wanted to focus on prayer because deepening our relationship with the Lord will help us stay strong in a hostile world.
We can pray as a humbled Daniel did:
Seek the Lord and His wisdom during times of confusion and distress
Intercede for the bride of Christ, confessing her sins with a heart of repentance
Remain faithful in prayer, sisters and brothers, and it’s enough if it’s all you can do.
And, remember Easter, for He has already won over the powers of this world.
Application: What About You?
No matter where you are spiritually, physically, and emotionally, find moments of quiet time this next week and simply sit in prayer before Jesus. Spend as much time in prayer with the Lord that your schedule allows.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.
And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.
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Good word, so true in these times. We must all learn to be Mary instead of Martha during these times of trial. There is so much going on and so many attacks coming at us, we must learn to just sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him.
GOD bless you, Jenise, and yours.
A simple good morning prayer of faith 5/12/24
"The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith." The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you!" Luke 17:5-6 NLT
A prayer asking the LORD to "Show us how to increase our faith."
Father, help us to do what's right in Your sight, make us clean, wash away our sins, forgive us of anything that would come between us, and help us to forgive others the same.
LORD, help us to trust in You more, increase our faith in You to care for us even in the midst of any storm, cause us to see You at work in our lives and the lives of others, fill us with compassion for others, and help us to pray for Your people, that they would come to know You more and that those who have yet to meet You would find their way into Your Loving arms.
Thank You, LORD, for hearing our simple prayer this day, in JESUS ' Holy Name, we pray. Amen
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Ephesians 6:18 NLT
GOD bless you all!
Come now and let us worship together!
LIVE Downing Street London / Worship on the Streets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8vQEs4njWw