Daily Thought for: 22nd August
DILIGENCE BEFORE GOD
Daniel 9. 1-27
Daniel’s diligence in the study of God’s word is rewarded with a revelation
of divine truth recorded years before by Jeremiah. Daniel’s reaction to
this revelation was not one of complacent satisfaction but rather provoked
within him a deeper desire to uncover more of the truth of God. The period
of divine probation was nearing an end and the man of God’s burden was
to engage the thrown of heaven and move the hand of God. For those who
desire such effectiveness before God, Daniel’s example is detailed and
challenging. Here is a man who will break through and beyond the barriers
of normal daily prayer life and delve into the deep things of God through
spiritual determination, self sacrifice and a demonstration of seriousness
in sackcloth and ashes. Despite the passing of many years Daniel rehearsed
in the presence of God the sins of the people. We must remember that God
always deals with sin and only then will it be remembered no more. We must
never be deceived into thinking that the passage of time lessens the effect
of sin before God and it is therefore necessary to deal with the difficulty
in His presence.
The greatest challenge in this portion of Scripture lies in to what extent
we will follow Daniel’s example of approach before God. This is not a public
exercise but one which will be known only to God. It will teach us that
afflictions of the soul and sense of deep burden in the divine presence
will bring into focus the mind of God for the individual and for the Lord’s
people. There are dimensions of relationship and communion with God which
casual daily prayer can never reach but to anyone who is serious about
the issue of intimate communion with God there will be a reciprocal response
from heaven.
Daniel experiences a breakthrough and Gabriel touches him at the time of
the evening oblation. For years God would have been denied His portion
from His people as they languished in Babylon, but the signal of a new
day centred around the time of sacrifice. Does this not suggest to us that
the beginning of real recovery lies with a rendering of something that
is authentic and true for God? Perhaps with such an exercise we too could
be acknowledged by God as one ‘Greatly beloved’.
