Why Pray?

As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. (Daniel 9:13–18)

I ’ve sometimes had the notion that if I am just good enough and obey God as much as I can, He is more apt to hear and answer my prayers. This is a sin-nature reason for praying — to get or earn God's favor. 

It does not work that way and Daniel knew it. He said his pleas were not because of any goodness he could claim, not even the imputed righteousness of a truly saved person. Just as he did not obtain that salvation by works, he did not think that his works would incline God to do what he asked.

According to this prophet and godly man, God answers prayer because of His mercy. This means that when I pray, I am to be surrendered and humble of heart, never thinking that He hears and blesses because I’ve somehow earned it. 

Yet even as I say that, I know that disobedience is a good way to shut His ears to my pleas. To obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22) and if I cherish sin in my heart, He does not listen. (Psalm 66:18) He is far more concerned with a clean heart than whatever I bring to Him in prayer.

Daniel had a job to do. God was about to tell him things of the future, of the end times. His obedience was important so that he could clearly hear what was said. While theologians often wrestle with his predictions, God said this:

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:10–13)

No one will understand except the wise, and most of what I read and hear is either jumbled and unclear, or bragged about as if the entire proclamation is known only to them. Sadly, this may mean that wise people either are very rare, or they know to keep their mouths shut.

Lord Jesus, You want obedience because it is the best thing for me and You want the best for me because You are merciful. You are amazing. I have nothing to offer You but pleas for the fullness of Your Spirit that I might always listen to You and do what You say.

 

In the lion’s den?

All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (Daniel 6:7–10)

The king was reminded that his decree could not be revoked, and was told that Daniel ignored it. He must suffer the consequences so was thrown into a den of lions.

Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. (Daniel 6:19–24)

This reveals the power of God. I’m reminded of two things. One, it explains why Daniel was not with the other three in the furnace. God had a different plan for him. And two, this alludes to God's  protection from the destructive power of Satan. These NT verses come to mind.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. (2 Timothy 4:17)

Jesus is the life-giving Lion of Judah. Satan is the life-destroying enemy and is totally opposite Him. The lions in Daniel’s life point ahead to the ‘lion’ who wants God's people to stop praying and worshiping. Yet our God protects His faithful children. This roaring lion could not destroy an obedient Daniel and he cannot destroy us.

Jesus, in these days of increasing persecution, I often think of the truth that “You win.” Even if those who hate Your people hate us to the point of taking our lives, we go into eternal life with You. We win, as did Daniel and the Apostle Paul who escaped. You declared this true at that ancient den and keep declaring it — and because of You, I live forever, no matter what that evil lion can say or try to do.

Fact not fable

“When you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:5–7)

Last night a bolt of lightning hit so close we had to check if it was our house. My heart literally shook and it took a long time to get back to sleep. But all was okay.

The above well-known story about a fiery furnace is told to many children in Sunday school, but far too many Christians tend to put it in fable status. Is it too remarkable to believe? I did hear of a man walking off a crashed and burning airplane. He prayed and was not hurt by the flames. Our God is not helpless…

The story goes on. The three companions of Daniel refused to worship the image. When told, the king summoned them and said:

“Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. 
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:14–25)

Is this Jesus showing up in the OT and walking with His people, protecting them when that is His will? In this event, the result was a changed life:

And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” (Daniel 3:27–29)

Application? No matter how difficult my problems may be, Jesus is with me in them and able to deliver me from harm. Not only that, He is able to use what could destroy me to make our world a safer place for others as He stops others from harming me.

Jesus, I’m not able to save myself from peril, but You are. All the things I could worry about, like getting hit by lightning, are nothing compared to Your power to protect Your children.

 

God's Long-range Plans

Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. (Daniel 2:24–30)

The king wanted his dream interpreted, but he refused to tell his wise men what the dream was so he told one of his men to kill all of them. Daniel intervened. God gave him the content and the meaning, thus saving the wise men from death. Did he know what the descendants of these men would do? Not likely. But God did.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1–2)

Most theologians believe these wise men were descendants of those that lived in Babylon many centuries prior to the birth of Christ and it was very likely that Daniel told them that a Jewish messiah would come and the sign would be a star that would take them to His birthplace. Knowing the power and plan of God from this side of those events, it is easy to agree. That ancient group had to live on and be told, therefore God revealed the meaning of the king’s dream and kept them alive.

When unusual events happen, realizing God has an agenda for good helps me agree with this understanding. As my mother often said, “We must need it or we would not be getting it.” This applies to ‘good’ events as well as those that alarm us or make us shake our heads in wonder. He has a plan that we do not know about.

For instance, my hubby ‘lost’ something valuable, but after nearly two years of wondering what happened, he found it again because his luggage got left in a faraway airport and forced him to fully examine it to make certain nothing had been removed. He then found his missing items. I thought later how upset travelers get when their luggage goes missing, but as my mom said…! And God says:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

Those “all things” may not feel good, but sometimes God is showing us the wonder of His grace with surprises that reveal His goodness, and it is gazing into His glory that changes our lives. 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Spending time with Jesus in His Word is one way. Talking with Him all day long is another. Seeing Him in the lives of Spirit-filled believers is another. We may not see Him as we look in the mirror unless that helps us confess our shortfall, but it is His amazing goal that we be like Him.

Jesus, there are times that You are so real and visible, and times where I feel abandoned, yet all the time You are active and working in my life, even in my dreams. For that, I am grateful. And I love Your surprises!

Faith about food is practical faith…

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (Daniel 1:8–16)

Whatever reasons people become vegan or vegetarians, I’ve never heard anyone quote this portion of the Bible. A little research offers these primary reasons:

Health because a well-planned vegetarian diet is naturally higher in fiber and lower in saturated fats and cholesterol compared to standard diets, a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, a lower body mass index (BMI) than meat-eaters, and to avoid added antibiotics, hormones, and chemical contaminants found in mass-produced meat.

Others have ethical and animal treatment concerns regarding the mass slaughter and unethical treatment of animals. Since the meat industry places a heavy toll on global resources, this can be an issue, as is resource consumption, greenhouse gas levels and water pollution.

While some religious groups refuse meat on the grounds of non-violence, and other people do not like the taste of meat, or just cannot afford it, few refuse some meats because OT biblical laws forbid some meats. Daniel wanted to obey God. His reasons were not about any of the above, and as always, God blessed him because of his desire to obey.

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:17–20)

These men had a huge impact in history. They were likely the source of what the magi did much later in following the star to Bethlehem.

Lately I’ve cut back on desserts. It is odd for me. I grew up on a farm and we always had dessert after a meal to the point that I’ve expected and even craved it, but now feel God is saying no desserts. I’m not sure why, but like Daniel, I want to obey Him.

Lord, I cannot justify stuffing myself with sugar-laden foods when it contributes to poor health with useless and even harmful calories. Your Word is for my protection and not to harm me. Besides, self-control is a fruit of Your Spirit. I lose it as soon as I say yes to what I don’t need and should not stuff down anyway. 

 


 
 

Forgiveness can be a challenge…

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:22–28)

Years ago someone sinned against me and I struggled to forgive this person. Forgiveness is difficult enough, but that person would not acknowledge it, making it even more difficult. Finally God gave me the same thought expressed in the above passage — that God forgives for His own sake. It is who He is.

At that. I was able to forgive, for God’s sake but also for my own sake. He had given me a new heart and His Holy Spirit and forgiveness was part of that new nature. It had to be done for that reason.

The Lord adds to this and His words humble and bless my heart:

And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel. “Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it. (Ezekiel 36:29–36)

If nothing else, these minor prophets show me what God is like, both holy and gracious. He loves His people but hates sin, not only because it hurts us and ruins our lives, but because it also defiles His Name. He is not like us, and if our sin is not forgiven and cleansed, we are not able to be like Him. Sin mars the image of this One who created us in His image. Many excuse it by inventing the idea we came from apes, yet others reveal it in incredible creativity and sometimes by extreme generosity. However, apes don’t build skyscrapers or invent artificial hearts or paint Sistine chapels, or fund orphanages and hospitals.

We are supposed to love, forgive, help the helpless, and display other God-like characteristics, not rob banks, shoot children, beat up our spouse, abuse, and slander, or do all that humans do that is not like our Creator. But we are not able to shed that selfishness of DIY effort. Only God can say:

Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12–14)

He proved He could do this by coming here, dying for our sin then rising from the dead, the firstborn of many.

Jesus, because You lived and died to save me from my sin, I want to die to those old nature ways and honor You, live for You. Oh dear Lord, thank You.

 

Protected because God promises…

And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Because the enemy said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our possession,’ therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God: Precisely because they made you desolate and crushed you from all sides, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you became the talk and evil gossip of the people, therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around, therefore thus says the Lord God: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey. Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations. Therefore thus says the Lord God: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach. (Ezekiel 36:1–7)

Reading the minor prophets is sometimes frightening, but mostly a comfort for it tells me what God is like in His holiness and in His faithfulness to His people. Here He declares to His prophet that no matter how badly the other nations treat them, He will not only deal with those nations, but also protect His people and cause them to prosper.

“But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children. Thus says the Lord God: Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children, declares the Lord God. And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 36:8–15)

The NT says that all those who put their faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ are “Israel” and belong to Him. His new covenant includes these promises and adds even more. As I read and learn of what He tells Ezekiel, He speaks to me. No matter what I face in the hardships of life, or in the reproach of those who reject the good news of His redemption, He will prosper me and all who belong to His family through faith in His Son.

Jesus, You are my source of love, joy, peace, confidence, hope secured. When I die physically, I will live forever with You forever, made to be like You and never again experience the negatives of this life. You kept Your word to the Israelites, and You keep Your word to me. How amazing!