July 26-27; Days 63-64

Daniel 1-Hosea 14

The book of Daniel contains many things... stories from the past that provide encouragement and visions of the future that scare the pants off of me...

I was reading of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace and realized it is a not just a story. It is a picture of what is happening today in our world. We are all walking around a fiery furnace. We've been put here because of our rebellion. We've rebelled against God and made some bad choices resulting in Satan's domain being increased in our everyday world. Yet the challenge is because the heat is slowly constantly being turned up we don't realize it is getting hotter and hotter nor the danger we are in. But just as the three men were protected by a 4th we too are protected by God's grace and the Holy Spirit with us today. Yet we cannot see our protector. The fact that we aren't burned by the sin run rampant around is is evidence enough that He exists. He has not yet given us completely over to our own selfish ambition. He is still walking around with us... and not a hair on our head should be burned as long as He is still present.

Later in Daniel 9 when I read Daniel's prayer I began to weep. "We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.... " (Dan 9:5) Is this not like today. Should this not be my prayer everyday? "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation...."(Dan 9:17) Let this be not just a written prayer, but the cry of my heart today and always.

I mentioned earlier that parts of Daniel scare me. I know God will provide and He is in control. However, I don't claim to understand all of what Daniel's vision contains. Yet I do read that there will be lots of suffering and strife. This is what scares me. Daniel 12 records some of Daniels thoughts which are my own as I read this.... "I heard but I did not understand, so I asked, "My lord what will be the outcome of this?"" (Dan 12:8) "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1335 days. AS for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your alloted inheritance." (Dan 12:11-13). Press on my friend. Strive to reach the end and we'll receive our inheritances together.