Saturday March 26, 2011

Read Daniel 9

There is so much confusion in Daniel 9. The numbers and symbols can overwhelm us and make us confused to the point where the passage just has no impact in our lives.

But let’s mine out the diamonds in these verses. Early in his prayer Daniel is concerned about sin. The Lord answers in vs 24 telling him that transgressions will end. Sin will be atoned for. Everlasting righteousness will be established. Sin will cease to exist. We know that this will occur when Jesus returns for the second and final time to judge the world and to deal with sin. All evil, sinners, death and even Hades, will be thrown into the lake of burning sulphur and fire. From that point forward nothing evil, wicked or immoral will exist. God’s perfect and pure kingdom will reign and YOU, believer in Jesus, will be in it! Hallelujah and praise God.

In vs 25 God answers Daniel’s question about God restoring His rightful position.  God says that He is in control of the times. There will be a time and a period of time.  There will be events, even cataclysmic events, wars and desolations but God is still in control. All these things are decreed but the end will  come and God, our God, will reign supreme.  Throughout it all God will remain completely in control. Even though desolations are decreed and wars will continue to the very end, God is still in control. All things are working towards His chosen end.

Does your life reflect the total sovereignty and control of God? Do your words and your prayers? Do the people around you look at you and see a God in perfect and utter control?

Prayer:-

þ Pray that God would allow you to see the world from His perspective and to live a life that reflects His sovereignty. Pray this for everyone in your congregation.

þ Pray that God would use you to bring others under His Lordship through repentance and faith.

þ If you have been anxious about anything spend time praying about it, confessing the anxiety, praying about the issue and giving thanks to God through Christ.

Pray that tomorrow’s service will be a time of gathering in God’s greatness and majesty. Pray that He’ll do great things among us and that those who are rejecting Him will repent and bow the knee.