Dad's Ramblings -- Spiritual Battles

SPIRITUAL BATTLES
Daniel 10:12-13
 
" 'Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia." ' "
 
David had been in diligent prayer and fasting for three weeks (vs. 3) when this heavenly messenger appeared to him. He told Daniel that God had heard his prayer from day one, but that there was a heavenly battle that raged for those three weeks. When we pray, there are struggles in the spirit-realm that are real, even if we do not see them. We do battle, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). But we don't fight them alone. We have God's angels on our side. So we can take heart when it seems that our prayers are not answered. God has heard our prayers!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Prayer involves battle in the unseen spirit-realm.
 
Have a victorious day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Time Is In God's Hands

TIME IS IN GOD'S HANDS
Daniel 9:24a, 25a, 26a, 27a
 
" 'Seventy weeks are determined .... Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there a shall be 7 weeks and 62 weeks .... And after 62 weeks Messiah shall be cut off .... Then he [the coming prince] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week ....' "
 
It is comforting to know that the times of this world are in God's control. But so are my times. I rest in the confidence that "my times are in Your hand," O Lord. I trust You because You are my God (Psalm 31:14-15).
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God controls time – of the world and of my life.
 
Have a resting day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Beloved By God

BELOVED BY GOD
Daniel 9:21-23a
 
" 'While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel ... reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked to me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; ...." ' "
 
Does God love some people more than others? I think so. I know that there is no partiality with God (Acts 10:34), and that God loves the world (John 3:16). But there is a special kind of love God has for those who believe in Jesus (John 16:27). He loves them just as Jesus was loved by the Father (John 17:23). But there is a deeper love for those who are close to Him. The disciples are an example. Jesus had twelve disciples who were followed Him. But there was an inner circle (Peter, James, and John). And of the three, only John could say of himself that he was "the one whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23). He had a relationship with the Lord Jesus that allowed him to lean on Jesus' breast. Daniel also had a special relationship with God. He was "greatly beloved." How do you get that kind of relationship? By spending time in His presence. Both John and Daniel spent time with God. Daniel had an consistent prayer life – communing with God. Relationships take time to develop. I think there is a special thing God has with people who will spend time with Him.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Those who are greatly beloved by God spend time in His presence developing relationship with Him.
 
Have a "greatly beloved" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Desperate Heart

DESPERATE PRAYER
 
Daniel 9:19
 
" 'O Lord [Adonai], hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hasten, and act!' "
 
In Daniel's prayer, I hear the pathos and pain of a broken heart who knows that no one or nothing else can deliver them. It was a plea from a desperate heart. God hears that kind of prayer. I have heard prayers that command and demand God to do something, as though He was a servant or a genie in a bottle. But God is Adonai – Master. He is not our servant to do our bidding, but He is a loving Master who responds to the cries of desperate hearts when His people call out to Him.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The Lord Adonai hears the pleas of a desperate heart.
 
Have a "desperate" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Prayer For A Nation

PRAYER FOR A NATION
 
Daniel 9:4-5
 
"And I [Daniel] prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, 'O LORD, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenants and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.' "
 
Daniel saw the state of his people, and understood that the reason Jerusalem lay desolate and the nation was in captivity was because they had turned away from God. So he appealed to God for deliverance, based upon God's mercy and confession of sin. This echoes II Chronicles 7:14: If we humbly seek God and turn from our evil ways, He will hear and answer. O God, hear our prayers for America. We have forsaken You and Your precepts.  Have mercy on our nation and deliver us.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God is merciful and hears the prayers of His people when they confess their
sins.
 
Have a humble day before God. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Appointed Time

THE APPOINTED TIME
 
Daniel 8:17b, 19
 
"But [Gabriel] said to me, 'Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end...' And he said, 'Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter times of indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.' "
 
It is not the purpose of Dad's Ramblings to do deep Bible study, so it is for other venues to unwrap the meanings of Daniel's visions. But they will happen at God's "appointed time." God is in control, and the future of the earth is in His hand. God has an appointment calendar. God is not slack concerning His promises, and the day will come when the earth will pass away with a great noise and melt with fervent heat (II Peter 3:9-10, 12). This will not happen until God says, "It is time." Just as Jesus came in the "fulness of time" (Galatians 4:4), so all these things will happen when the time is right. I don't know all about the future, but I know Who controls it.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God has an appointed time for all things.
 
Have a patient and trusting day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Pompous Words

POMPOUS WORDS
 
Daniel 7: 19, 23-25
 
" 'Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast .... Thus he said: "The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, and times and half a time." ' "
 
Throughout history, Christians have borne the brunt of persecution, more than any other religion. Why is this? Because they stand in the way of Satan's rule of the earth. He wants the power to rule totally, and anyone who does not bow to him is to be destroyed. He will even attempt to change times and laws to accomplish his dominion. It will get worse before Jesus comes and sets up His earthly kingdom when "all kingdoms and dominions shall obey Him" (vs. 27b). So when we hear "pompous words" against God, and the Christian faith is attacked, we know that Satan is behind it, but he will not win.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Satan hates Jesus-followers – the saints – and wants to get rid of them so he
can rule unimpeded.
 
Have an understanding day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Ancient of Days

THE ANCIENT OF DAYS
 
Daniel 7:9-10
 
" 'I watched until the thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, the hair of His head was pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery steam issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered before Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.' "
 
Daniel Chapter 7 relates a vision that Daniel had and its interpretation. It began with the kingdoms of this world, which come and go, and culminated in the Kingdom that is "an everlasting kingdom, which shall not pass away [nor] be destroyed" (verse 14). The vision of God – the Ancient of Days – and His throne room is particularly captivating. Picture the flaming throne, the fiery river, the millions upon millions worshiping before Him. What a place!! Only Daniel uses the appellation "Ancient of Days" (verses 10, 13, 22), and it suggest to me the pre-eminence of our God. He is before all and above all. When we get bogged down and disheartened by the political systems of this world, we need to turn our eyes heavenward to the "Ancient of Days" who's kingdom will last forever and ever. What a great God we serve!!!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Heaven – the throne room of the Ancient of Days – is an awesome place.
 
Have a "heavenly" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Living God

THE LIVING GOD
 
Daniel 6:25-27
 
"Then King Darius wrote: ... 'I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.' "
 
What a statement of faith! We serve the living God Who rescues and delivers, and Who's kingdom shall last forever. Hallelujah!
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God is alive and His kingdom and works will endure to the end.
 
Have a "hallelujah" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Miracles and Witness

MIRACLES AND WITNESS
 
Daniel 6:21-23
 
"Then Daniel said to the king, 'O King, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they could not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O King, I have done no wrong before you.' Now the king was exceedingly glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury was found on him, because he believed in his God."
 
Daniel's time in the lions' den was an opportunity for God to display His power. Life's challenges are opportunities for miracles. No challenge – No miracle. And if I keep a good spirit through them, they also bring opportunities to give witness to others of God's deliverance. This all happened because "Daniel believe in his God."
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Great challenges = Great miracles = Great witness.
 
Have a miracle day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Tender Heart

A TENDER HEART
 
Daniel 6:18-19
 
"Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions."
 
Not all pagans are evil. Even though Darius did not know the true God, his heart was tender. He suffered insomnia that night because he truly cared about what happened to Daniel. Because his heart was soft and because Daniel's kept a gracious spirit, he became a believer in Daniel's God, and He issued a proclamation that all of his subject throughout his realm would "tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever" and whose kingdom would never end (see vss. 26-27). This is yet another illustration of God allowing what seemed to be bad from a human view to reach a tender heart.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Even pagans have tender hearts that God can reach through a positive witness of His grace an power.
 
Have a "positive" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God Will Deliver

GOD WILL DELIVER
 
Daniel 6:16
 
"So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, 'Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.' "
When it seems that the system has the upper hand, and a person has been thrown to the lions, the
 
What a statement of faith by an ungodly king.  The God whom we serve will deliver. It may be by life, as Daniel, or it may be death as, as with many martyrs. But He is with us through the trial and will make a way of escape (I Corinthians 10:13) to take us through. Trust Him.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: When no one else can deliver from the lions' den, God can.
 
Have a "deliverance" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Rash Decisions

RASH DECISIONS
 
Daniel 6:14
 
"And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him."
King Darius had made a rash decision when he required everyone to worship his gold statue, without thinking through the ramifications. Now the chickens came home to roost, and he regretted it. He wanted to change the law, but it was too late. There was no taking backing what he had decreed. How often have I regretted some of the rash decisions I have made and wished that I could change them because I did not fully think through the consequences. Not only do other people suffer from my ill-advised choices, but I end up being unhappy with myself.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Regret and unhappiness of rash decisions can be avoided by fully thinking through to the end results.
 
Have a "thinking" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Unintimidated

UNINTIMIDATED
 
Daniel 6:10
 
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his window open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."
 
Daniel was unintimidated by the threats of his enemies because he was secure in his faith in his God. He was not swayed. He did not respond by fighting back or by hiding his expression of faith, but he boldly continued to practice his personal devotion to God "as was his custom." This is a challenge. Intimidation is a powerful tool Satan uses to shut up my witness. The temptation is to either back off and accommodate the strident voices that denigrate my faith, or attack back. I need to be more like Paul – "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:16) – serving God as usual and letting the chips fall where they may.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Intimidation will silence my witness unless I am secure in my faith in God.
 
Have an unintimidated day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Executive Order

EXECUTIVE ORDER
 
Daniel 6:6-7, 9
 
"So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him, 'O Darius, live forever. All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statue and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions ....' Therefore, King Darius signed the written decree."
 
The people under Daniel's authority saw Daniel as a threat to their power. So they persuaded King Darius to issue an Executive Order against anyone who stood against them. The secular (and even religious) establishments view godly people who stand for righteousness as a threat to their power and agenda. The way they handle that threat is to control or get rid of it. It was true in Daniel's day; it is true in our day. Just this week, the Executive branch of the U.S. government issued a decree demanding that faith-based organizations provide contraception insurance to their employees, even though it may violate their long-held religious convictions. This is a clear intrusion of the state into the area of religious belief. The reason is that these beliefs stand opposed to the government's desire for power to control. Anyone who does not bow to the secular agenda is an enemy to be either eliminated or controlled. We are a threat to their lust for power, so expect the attacks to increase. But our God is greater than the worldly government and He will deliver.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The battle between secularism and faith is an ongoing struggle because secular society wants to control any threat to its power.
 
Have a "faith" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Faithful

FAITHFUL
 
Daniel 6:4-5
 
"So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom: but they could find no fault, because he was faithful: nor was there any error found in him. Then these men said, 'We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning his law and his God.' "
 
Daniel was promoted because he was faithful and did a good job with an excellent spirit, and those under his authority hated him for it. They were jealous of his success, but the only way they could attack him was his religious faith. Just because I am a good person does not mean everyone will love me. I wish it could be said of me: that the only charge that could be brought against me is that I serve the Most High God.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Just because one is faithful in his responsibilities does not guarantee that everyone will love him.
 
Have a faithful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Good Spirit

A HONEY SPIRIT
 
Daniel 6:1-3a
 
"It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be over the whole kingdom, and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one .... Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him...."
 
An excellent spirit will distinguish a person and make him stand out in a crowd. But so does a bad spirit. The difference? People enjoy being around a joyful, happy, contented, loving person, but they avoid a cranky person. It is the difference between honey and cod liver oil.  Lord Jesus, I want a honey spirit.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: An excellent spirit attracts people; a bad spirit repels people.
 
Have a "honey" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Three Little Words

THREE LITTLE WORDS
 
Daniel 5:24-25
 
" 'Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him .... And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' "
 
As Daniel interpreted these three little words (vss. 26-28), chills must have danced up and down Belshazzar's back. MENE – God has numbered the days of your kingdom; TEKEL – you have been weighed and are found lacking; UPHARSIN – your kingdom is divided. These three little words apply to all of us – our days are numbered, we are lacking and none of us measure up to God's standard, and what is left will be divided – we won't take anything with us. Since none of us measure up because all have sinned, it would be hopeless if it wasn't for Jesus who covered our sin on the cross by His blood. Thank You, Jesus.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: My only hope when I stand before God is that Jesus covers my sin.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Like Father, Like Son

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
 
Daniel 5:22-23
 
[Daniel said,] " 'But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord [Adonai] of heaven .... And the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.' "
 
After Daniel recounted how King Nebuchadnezzar had become insane (vs. 21) because he had lifted
his heart in pride (vs. 20), he zeroed in on his son Belshazzar, who, although he knew what had happened to his father, did the same thing – lifting himself in pride against the Lord. How often do children see the mistakes of their parents and vow, "I'm not gonna be like my father (or mother)," and end up being exactly like them. Children should rightly emulate their parents in some things, but should also learn from their mistakes.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: It is a wise person who learns from the mistakes of his parents.
 
Have a discerning day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Reputation

REPUTATION
 
Daniel 5:13b-14, 16a
 
"The king spoke, and said, 'Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? .... I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in you .... And I have heard of you...' "
 
"I have heard of you." Daniel's reputation followed him. Years after his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, he was still known as a godly man. Sometimes, I wish I knew what people think of me. But then again, maybe not. I would hope that the perception of me would be as a godly man. But may think I am a kook or hypocrite. Regardless of my reputation in this life, I am more concerned about what King Jesus thinks about me.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT:  A good reputation is a prized possession.
 
Have a "good reputation" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Fear Of God

THE FEAR OF GOD
 
Daniel 5:6, 8-9, 13a
 
"Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened, and his knees knocked against each other .... Now all the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished (margin: perplexed) .... Then Daniel was brought in...."
 
What a sight that must have been!!! The king was so scared that he became as white as a sheet and his knees knocked together. In his consternation, he turned to the wise men of his kingdom. But they didn't know any more than he did. He finally sought out God's man. In our age, the "fear of God" is old-fashioned. We are too sophisticated to tremble before a holy and righteous God. In our perplexity, we seek counsel from the wise men of our culture, but they are as ignorant as we are. They do not have the answers. Oh that, as in days gone by, our nation and our leaders would tremble before God when faced with troubling, perplexing issues, and seek godly counsel.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: We need the "fear of God" that will force us to seek godly answers.
 
Have a "fear of God" day. Love you.