August 1st
AUGUST 1st
Sometimes we just need to be reminded of God’s sovereignty, especially in the midst of worldwide destructions, evil rebellion and chaos that seems to be so prevalent. But we have to remind ourselves that this is not a surprise to God. He has a plan and all of this fits. I am studying the book of Daniel right now and I really found comfort in several passages found there.
Daniel 2:20-22 Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
What TRUTH! Several times Daniel was given prophetic visions/dreams which disturbed him greatly because they predicted hard things in the future. Daniel was driven to prayer, interceding for the nation. I love how Daniel ends his prayer in Chapter 9.
Daniel 9:18-19 “Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
Daniel did not expect God to answer because of his or anyone else’s flimsy righteousness but because of God’s mercy. Then when Gabriel came to explain some of the visions to Daniel, he made several statements that are important for us to grasp.
Daniel 9:23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision…
That’s Gabriel speaking to Daniel there. So get this, as soon as you begin to pray, things happen in the spiritual realm. So why don’t we see results immediately here on earth?
Daniel 10:12-13 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Gabriel was delayed from getting to Daniel for 21 days because of a demon over the province of Persia. It wasn’t until the warrior angel Michael came to help fight, that Gabriel was freed up to come to Daniel.
The point is that the angels tasked with attending to things in the spiritual realm have battles to fight against the enemy forces there. The delay could cause you to doubt ifyou are not aware of the battle going on in the spiritual realm. So when you pray for something and don’t see the result immediately, you must keep praying. The angels are fighting to make it happen. For example, if you are praying for someone’s salvation, demons are working overtime trying to keep them distracted so they don’t feel the Holy Spirit’s call to them. Angels are sent to fight off those demons to remove them from the equation. Think that sounds crazy? Think again…
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Need to wrap your head around this a little more? You might try reading Frank Peretti’s novel This Present Darkness. It will give you some insight into the potential scenario.
Lord, help me remember the unseen battle and be diligent in prayer. Thank you for hearing me immediately. Show me how to pray according to your will Jesus. Thank you for your sovereign plan.