"O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name." Daniel 9:19
My Take Aways
Something Old:
I noticed as I typed in today's key verse that Lord is spelled in proper case not all caps. Which means Daniel was calling out "O Master..." This speaks volumes of Daniel's personal relationship with God. He was not praying to the covenant LORD of the Hebrew people. He was crying out to his personal Master. Oh, now that is some good stuff, isn't it? We need to have a personal relationship with our Lord one that develops based on consistent time in prayer. Daniel had it right.
Something New: 4 actions words in our prayer. All the action is God's part. Our part is to humbly pray these actions to our Master, trusting Him to produce the results that are best for us and most glorious for Him.
hear, forgive, listen, and act hear: hear, listen, consent, perceive by ear, hear of concerning, attention or interest, the power to hear, grant request
forgive: pardon, which means release from the penalty of the offense
listen: hearken (kjv) incline (lean, bend) be attentive, heed
act: (do defer not) tarry, linger, delay [act-to do, accomplish, make, produce]
Something to Do:
Be a Daniel. One who dares to be who she is, a Believer of the Lord of Lords, without regard to personal injury or insult. One who prays with humility, power, and honesty.
18 Comments:
Wendy,
You are beautiful today. You really glow! I don't know why necessarily, perhaps it is the passion you have about today's reading, but I thought you should know. :)
Morgen and Gaylene, Thank you for your posts yesterday. They were right on! Grace and Peace, I prayed for your son's friend's father. How tragic! And what a time for this event! I pray for peace and healing; spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the family.
Today's natural focus was on prayer and I echo Wendy's sentiments about the prayers that were said, they way they were said, and the courage it took to continue each day to praise and pray.
I also noted that God continues to be glorified in these acts of persecution; all through the prophets, and particularly in Daniel, Kings who worship other gods, and persecute the men of God like Daniel, even to death, are thwarted. They see with their own eyes how God rescues those who are faithful and they each say words like in Daniel 6:26-27 "“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and his rule will never end.
27 He rescues and saves his people;
he performs miraculous signs and wonders
in the heavens and on earth."
Does it last? No. Talk about stiff necked and short memories! But still, God is sovereign in these situations. (Cont.)
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(cont.)
I read a book a couple of years ago that really impacted me and my thinking about God's sovereignty in all situations. I highly recommend this book; it is Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ. It is a small book, written by John Piper, and it is packed with big ideas and thought provoking statements. In short, the message is that everything happens according to the will of God. Evil happens because God allows it. He has a purpose for this; to strengthen us, to highlight the "senselessness" of evil and the ultimate absurdity of Satan, and to glorify Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
John Piper illustrates the dichotomy in this way: He postulates that Western Christianity today is not facing massive crisis and is weakened by "whimpy world views"
"God is weightless in our lives. He is not terrifyingly magnificent. His sovereignty is secondary (at best) to his sensitivity. What is missing is the Bible. I mean the WHOLE Bible, with its blood and guts and sins and horrors—and all of it under the massive hand of God. The hand whose fingers flick stars into being. The hand that gives life and takes it. The hand that rules everything. Everything. What we need is to know the great things about God. Knowing great things about God will help
make us ready not to collapse under cataclysmic conflict and personal catastrophe."
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20).
As Morgen said yesterday, "God said it would happen and it did."
John Piper says in his closing, "Maintaining the joy of faith in the face of horrific evil does not happen by coasting. It happens by conquering. That is my aim. That you would conquer unbelief and despair in the face of spectacular sin and misery."
Joy is a choice. Believing is a choice. We have the road map to life in the Word. We need to be in it daily (as Lori says), and we need to pray without ceasing. Be a Daniel.
Love to you all,
Karen, Basel
I've been reading along but things have been crazy here so I haven't been able to watch every vlog, but I'm posting so I get the e-mails in the hopes of being back later. Thanks so much for all that you're sharing - I'm learning lots! Hope everyone has a great day!
Wonderful reading about prayer today! My nugget:
(Daniel 6:10) "He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God."
I get "prayed up" in the morning, but I need to get in the habit of "topping off my tank" a few times during the day as well.
Currently I am praying for some things on behalf of others in my family that, if answered, will bring some unwelcome changes for me. So, I am having to also pray for help in overcoming my selfishness in wanting to keep things comfortably where they are now. Lord, please forgive me for not being of one heart as I pray for this. I seek to be like Daniel, accepting whatever it is You see fit to send my way, because Your plan is for my good. In Jesus' name, Amen
Happy Wednesday ~
Wendy, I ditto what Karen said. Christ in you – is coming out! Your passion draws us to you! And, sweet Amy, I must say, as I know how days can be w/ little ones – if you don’t get a chance to listen today, * this date to come back to, - to hear the vlog. You won’t want to miss it. smile
I love Daniel last year, and I love him even more this year.
What started the whole problem with the high officers? Jealousy. The extent that people will go, when they become envious of another person!
I so loved that Daniel was unaffected by the new official law. Certainly, he was abiding with his Lord. Peace surrounded him. He remained surefooted; he did not waver, one little bit! He went, like always, straight to the throne. “he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to His God” (Daniel 6:10).
He made sure he had his quiet time with his Father. He knew without a doubt that God was with him, and that there was no need to worry. Wow. All, I can say, is that I want to be a Daniel! I want his heart. I want his peace. We know how: it’s applying what we know to do - day by day, until it is just ingrained inside us. Our natural response in time of need should be: praying. Praising Him. Thanking Him. Trusting Him – with everything.
We know that in all things, God gets the glory; however, we don’t always get to ‘see’ it. I loved reading today how the King learns who the True Living God is! Oh the glory gave me goose bumbs when he said: “for he is the living God, and he will endure forever” (6:26). I loved reading that!
My To Do to get ingrained inside me, is to “turn to the Lord God” (9:3) before I start worrying, fretting, and becoming anxious about something.
Girlfriends, have a joyful day, for this is the another new day, that the LORD has made! Praise You Father, for a new day, - a brand new day to anticipate your glory!
Hugs, Lori
Really good stuff Wendy! I agree with Karen - you had a glow about you today! Praise God!
Something Old: Daniel 9:2: "I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord". The Bible is timeless. Look how we keep learning from reading it today!
Something New: Daniel 6:13: "That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah"...the men bringing charges against Daniel separated themselves from Daniel by their words..."that man"...you remember, that "captive from Judah"...not giving Daniel the respect he had earned over many years. Don't I do this sometimes? Use words to separate myself from those I don't agree with, or feel up against? Lord, help me to embrace others no matter whether I agree with them or not. Help me to not set myself up against others; to not use words or actions that make me look and feel elite or above others. Amen.
Nugget: It is because of God's mercy only, that we receive forgiveness. What an awesome God we serve!
Morgen
Thank you Holy Spirit for teaching us so much!
Daniel prayed even though everyone was telling him not to. He valued God's opinion more than others. I have to ask myself "Am I doing what God asks of me even if others (the world) thinks its foolish? Or am I trying to blend in to this Babylonian culture, so as not to stand out?" Am I placing on God the value He deserves or do I give value to what others will think of me? I confess that I am not bold enough in my faith. Lord, pardon me.
Karen, John Pipers book sounds great. My husband and I were able to hear him speak at a Holy Spirit Conference in Wisconsin this summer. His band also led the worship. He is such a tender, humble Pastor but can really rock on the guitar! He prayed for our marriage. I will have to get his book-thanks.
Lizzy
OOps, Karen,
I realize there are 2 John Pipers who were pastors as I am searching for your book! Sorry, I probably messed up there! Still will get the book though. Thanks.
Thanks Wendy for the message today;
“O Lord, hear as Loice pours her heart to you.My work situation is quite tense, my trainers all seem to have switched off. Lord hear as loice cries to you to do something at my work place. Lord hear as loice cries for my daughter Wangui in her school. Lord hear as i cry for direction in this great nation of australia. Lord hear Loice as she cries for an office to meve to.
O Lord, forgive. Forgive me for i tend to act without looking to yoy. Lord forgive our people in this land as we have ignored you and gone our own way. Lord forgive us for we are too full of ourselves. lord forgive Loice as i only come to you as a last resort.
O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”
Thank Lord that you will act, for we trust in you.
Amen
Loice
Lizzie,
Here is the link to get the book. This is John Piper from Minnesota, Pastor of Bethleham Church and Leader or the Organization Desiring God.
http://www.desiringgod.org/Store/
Great lessen today, thanks!
Lately I am almost afraid to pray for specifics. As God works in us, he is also doing some refining of us. And that can be uncomfortable. I don’t know about anyone else, but that scares me. I think we all like to stay in our comfort zones. I know I do. Wonderful things can happen when God does not give us what we are asking for. He might take us in a totally different direction. So I humbly pray to God to hear, listen, forgive and act according to his will. Only our sovereign God knows what is best for us.
Trusting In Him,
Linda
Karen,
Thank you for the prayers on behalf of Doug and his family. Thank you also for what you shared today. Spot on! It's all about our choices, isn't it? I just finished reading "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis. It was written in 1945 but it still resonates to our times today. It illustrates how our choices affect where we are going to stay in eternity. Some cling to pride, intellect, lusts and even their sorrows. It prevents them from accepting grace and receiving joy.
Wendy, love the teaching on prayer today! It's so good.
Since most of you touched on that already here is something else that might be of interest. Chuck Missler said Daniel 9 contain the most amazing passage in the bible. In particular verses 24-27.
It details the "70 weeks" of Daniel:
Daniel 9:24 = the scope
Daniel 9:25 = 69 weeks
Daniel 9:26 = (the interval - this is where we are right now)
Daniel 9:27 = the 70th week
Daniel 9:25 is also considered to be one of the most profound proofs that Jesus is the Messiah. Here is an excerpt from a KI Classmate of mine, S. Pennington:
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. KJV
Daniel 9:25 has to be in my mind the most amazing prophecy in the Bible. It gives an exact date for when the Messiah was to come. Sir Robert Anderson crunched the numbers for us.
The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was given Mar 14, 445 BC by Artaxerxes Longimanus. All prior decrees were about the temple only. Sixty-nine weeks later, or 173,880 days, on April 6, 32 AD, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ and Psalm 118 being sung. It was the only time Jesus allowed himself to be declared king.
This proves Jesus is the Messiah spoken with dead-on accuracy. There is no margin of error whatsoever! That alone should be proof enough since only God can produce errorless results. But there is more evidence that backs this date and occasion as the day the Messiah came to Jerusalem. We can date through Luke the beginning of Jesus’ ministry at his baptism as in the fifteenth year of Caesar Tiberius. (Luke 3:1) Tiberius began his reign Aug 19, 14 AD. The Passover, and crucifixion, took place on April 10, 32 AD. Four days prior the lambs were chosen that would be sacrificed on Passover. That was April 6, 32 AD. On that day the Lamb and the King were presented in Jerusalem.
For Math nerds, here is the formula:
69 X 7 X 360 (they did not use 365 days in the calendar back then) = 173,880 days
445 BC - 32 AD = 173,740 days
March 14- Apr 6 = 24 days
Leap Years = 116 days
Total: 173,880 days
from the decree on March 14, 445 BC to the triumphal entry on April 6, 32 AD. As Chuck Missler said, the angel Gabriel's margin of error is zero! God's word, our Bible, what we are reading daily is reliable. Praise God!
Tonight at sundown, our church will celebrate the Feast of Trumpets. This is the third year that we are going. Some people even bring their own ram's horns. At the end, we all file out to the front and yell "JESUS!" Maybe tonight is the night He will hear and come for us.
Here is a song by Robin Mark called Days of Elijah. It's one of my all-time favorites. God used it to speak to me during a time of discouragement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wl0VFgpjY
Have a blessed day everyone. Keep looking up!
Dear Cogpow -
This is a new abbreviation I learned in church Sunday and I will keep you in suspense until the end of my comment!
I had mentioned before about reading the book "Secret Believers" by Brother Andrew and the reading today brought it very strongly to my mind. There are people today who are living in a 95% Muslim society who are daring to be like Daniel to be faithful to Jesus. They are risking their lives and those of their family to be a Christian in a Muslim society where there is no freedom of choice. Physically I can't go there to support them nor can most of us. But we prayer "warriors" can pray for them as Daniel would do! And to send our thanks to God that we still live in a country where we can pray. And pray to God that we can keep this freedom in spite of those who would "take" God out of all we say and do in our public lives.
On a personal note, my reservations are made for October 4th to join my son and daughter in Phoenix before Lt. Laurie heads to the middle east for two years. The follow up drug following my breast cancer surgery - first quote I got was for over $400 a month. By investigating over the computer, I was able to go directly to the source and become part of their patient assistance program and should be receiving the medication by mail to my home absolutely free! I praise God in his mercy to me in all this cancer stuff.
O.K.COGPOW now. Children of God, People of Worth. Every time I meet someone now, I mentally say this very person is a COGPOW, no matter what their physical or financial situation may be or what their words may be saying that deny this outwardly. So starting with this group of believers and stretching out to encompass all others and other countries, I greet the COGPOWs in the name and with the love of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Dixie in Florida
Dear Dixie,
Prayers for continued health, quick adaptation to the new medications, and travel mercies as you join your children. Travel mercies and also prayers for healing for lt. Laurie!
Thank you for sharing COGPOW! Good to know!
Grace and Peace, I thank you for your post too, but I admit I thought you were going to cite verse 26: 26 “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple"
The Anointed One, killed appearing to have accomplished nothing... But accomplishing SO MUCH!
Thank you Lord for dying for us, for setting us free, for giving us the model of a Godly life. For allowing us to behold our God, for revealing to us Your true Character. I desire to know You intimately and to desire You above all. Fill me with this desire daily. Here I am, an empty vessel expecting to be filled. Lord hear my prayer, forgive me for all the times I set You aside and focus on my daily life. Listen to my plea and do not delay Lord, for the sake of Your Name, act. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
New light on prayers, in Gabriel's message, from Daniel 9:23
"The moment you began praying , a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God."
Daniel was definitely precious to God, so his prayer was addressed immediately. However, it took years for the answer to come to fruition; it is still being answered and won't be complete until the second return of Christ. We, as Christians, should understand how very precious WE are to God.
I believe every Christian can know that God gives immediate attention to their prayers. The answer comes immediately, but may take years to bring about. Our answers come as: YES, THE TIME ISN'T RIGHT YET, OR I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER IN MIND.
Our challenge is to not grow impatient, allowing God to act in his time. We must have faith and confidence in the Lord, knowing that whatever he sends our way is in our best interests, although we may not understand it at the time.
Chip in Wesley Chapel, NC
Dixie,
When I saw Cogpow I thought "Oh no, a spam message" but it was the furthest from the truth. The word in itself does not sound appealing but the meaning behind it is beautiful: Children of God, People of Worth. Thank you. Praying for your health and your travels.
Karen,
It was my intent to put something for each of the verses from 24-27 but was led to focus on the 25th when I was typing. :) Amen to your comment on v. 26 though!
Look a new name! Welcome, Chip.
Hi FIGS,
Many thanks for those of you who prayed for Elliot's party. It ended up raining but we managed just fine in the end on the main level of my home. It was a fabulous party and I was touched by everyone's generosity and well wishes. Elliot has certainly sparked a lot of love in his short life and I am blessed everyday by his sweet presence.
I was a bit behind of Vlog's but have finally caught up. Thanks to Karen for the info on "The Ancient One." While I was at the Holy Spirit Conference here in Ottawa - I had a vision in my mind of a an old man with white hair and a throne in flames. Thanks to you I now know it's about God's glory!
Lord - there are so many friends and family in need at this time in my life. Help me to learn from Daniel's example and to trust You for the answer. Thanks Wendy for this excellent teaching!
xoxo
Jodie from Ottawa.
ps Jennifer from Iowa - I emailed you sometime last week I think. Haven't heard back, maybe I ended up in your junkmail?
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