December 8, 2006 - Daniel 8-10 and III John
As we read Daniel 8-10, I want us to focus in on why Daniel had his prayers answered and why God referred to him as "greatly beloved." I believe all of us would like to have our prayers answered, too. I believe we would love to have God call us "greatly loved." However, the question is, "Do we have the character of Daniel that caused him to have these results in his life?" I pray that each of us will search our hearts to discern our character and our standing before the Lord.
Yesterday, I told you that God honored Daniel because he walked in the truth as he lived by faith in God. In Daniel 8-10 God showed Daniel some future events that He did not show anyone else. He had Gabriel explain the prophecy of the 70 weeks, and he saw the vision of the glorious man. However, now we see some other clues as to why God was showing him these things. Look at Daniel 9:3. Daniel was praying and fasting with sackcloth and ashes. He was serious about showing God how much he wanted to know His will. He did not eat solid food, and he wore very uncomfortable clothes, so that he would not be complacent and comfortable and forget to pray. I believe all of us need to practice fasting, and we need to use physical reminders to pray. Have you seen the colorful bracelets people are wearing? They are not scratchy like burlap, but they are a physical reminder to constantly be in prayer. Then, Daniel 10:3, 4 tells us that Daniel was mourning before the Lord for three weeks. He did not eat pleasant food or spend time on his physical appearance for three weeks. I believe that behavior made a clear statement to God. Then, God sent the angel and even had Michael, the archangel, to help the angel get through Satan's forces and deliver the answer to his prayer.
When we put all of this together, we see why Daniel was called "greatly beloved." God saw his heart. He loved the Lord and His will so much that he would do whatever it took to focus on the Lord. God can love us even more when we love Him more. He can lavish His blessings on us, when we focus on Him and walk in faith.
Contrast this attitude with the man in III John, Diotrephes. He was a proud person who wanted to be the greatest. He had to have his own way, not God's way. He kept God's people from doing His will, instead of desiring God's will with all of us heart. John goes so far as to imply that he might not be a Christian, even though he was a church leader. Position does not matter to God. It is our hearts that God looks at. Don't allow yourself to be arrogant before God, but humble yourself before God like Daniel did when he confessed the sins of Israel, and his own sins. (Daniel 9:4-8) Be ready to mourn for three weeks, if that is what it takes to receive the answer to your request. All the time you are doing these things, know that God is honoring your heart, and He is sending the answer to your prayer.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 11-12 and Jude.
Yesterday, I told you that God honored Daniel because he walked in the truth as he lived by faith in God. In Daniel 8-10 God showed Daniel some future events that He did not show anyone else. He had Gabriel explain the prophecy of the 70 weeks, and he saw the vision of the glorious man. However, now we see some other clues as to why God was showing him these things. Look at Daniel 9:3. Daniel was praying and fasting with sackcloth and ashes. He was serious about showing God how much he wanted to know His will. He did not eat solid food, and he wore very uncomfortable clothes, so that he would not be complacent and comfortable and forget to pray. I believe all of us need to practice fasting, and we need to use physical reminders to pray. Have you seen the colorful bracelets people are wearing? They are not scratchy like burlap, but they are a physical reminder to constantly be in prayer. Then, Daniel 10:3, 4 tells us that Daniel was mourning before the Lord for three weeks. He did not eat pleasant food or spend time on his physical appearance for three weeks. I believe that behavior made a clear statement to God. Then, God sent the angel and even had Michael, the archangel, to help the angel get through Satan's forces and deliver the answer to his prayer.
When we put all of this together, we see why Daniel was called "greatly beloved." God saw his heart. He loved the Lord and His will so much that he would do whatever it took to focus on the Lord. God can love us even more when we love Him more. He can lavish His blessings on us, when we focus on Him and walk in faith.
Contrast this attitude with the man in III John, Diotrephes. He was a proud person who wanted to be the greatest. He had to have his own way, not God's way. He kept God's people from doing His will, instead of desiring God's will with all of us heart. John goes so far as to imply that he might not be a Christian, even though he was a church leader. Position does not matter to God. It is our hearts that God looks at. Don't allow yourself to be arrogant before God, but humble yourself before God like Daniel did when he confessed the sins of Israel, and his own sins. (Daniel 9:4-8) Be ready to mourn for three weeks, if that is what it takes to receive the answer to your request. All the time you are doing these things, know that God is honoring your heart, and He is sending the answer to your prayer.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 11-12 and Jude.