Video Bible Lesson - Daniel's Prayer: Longing for Rescue by Kelly Givens

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

6/20/2020

Daniel's Prayer: Longing for Rescue

by Kelly Givens

“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” - Daniel 9:17-19If you’re ever trying to find something to study in the Word, one neat thing you might try is reading the great prayers of the Bible. Think Genesis 18:16-33 for Sodom and Gomorrah, 1 Samuel 1:10-16 for a child, Jonah 2 in the belly of the great fish, and of course, Matthew 6:9-13, which Jesus himself taught his disciples. I’ve found these teach us more than just how to pray. Through these prayers we learn what it means to be people of faith. We also see God’s character revealed to us and learn why prayer is important to God.Daniel 9 contains one of these great prayers: Daniel’s prayer to God on behalf of the Israelites. In the first few verses, Daniel tells us that after reading the writings of the prophet Jeremiah he understood that the exile -- which he had been a part of for most of his life -- was nearing an end. We might expect Daniel to celebrate, but instead he says, “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting and in sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3).What in the world is going on here? If Daniel truly believed God’s promise to end the exile, why is he praying as if he didn’t? When I thought through this, I realized Daniel didn’t doubt God would deliver on his promise. Rather, he understood that prayer is an expression of faith in the promises of God. It also helps us align our hearts to God’s will and purpose in the world. Daniel was essentially saying, “God, this is awesome news. I want this so badly. Don’t let our sinfulness keep you from acting on this great plan. Don’t delay, rescue us soon!”We too have been promised an end to our own exile of sorts- Jesus promises to return and bring his Kingdom with him when he comes. He promises the end of our captivity to sin and to bring us into ever-lasting life in the New Jerusalem, in his presence forever!This is an incredible promise. But are we praying for it the way Daniel was praying for Israel’s return from exile? We pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done,” but do we really mean it? I know I often don’t. I’m usually content in this broken world, in captivity. I’m comfortable here; I’m used to it. I don’t often long for the Jesus to come back.But God desires us to be like Daniel, to remember our sinfulness, confess and to pray that Jesus would indeed come back soon. God’s promises are intended to encourage us to pray, not to make us shrug our shoulders and say, ‘Oh well, it’ll happen one day, regardless of if I pray or not.”We need to pray as Daniel did, not because God needs our prayers to accomplish his purposes, but because we need to submit ourselves to his plans. We need to long for what he longs for, and for Christians today, the number one thing on our prayer list, our number one longing, should be the return of Jesus.Intersecting Faith and Life:God has promised us that he is coming back to claim this world as his own and to rescue all those who have placed their faith in him. Are you living in light of this promise? If not, meditate on scripture that affirms Jesus’ return, and pray your heart would desire this as much as God does.Further Reading:John 14:1-4Rev. 21:1-5Rev. 22:7

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Streams in the Desert

You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left. (Isa 30:21)

When we are in doubt or difficulty, when many voices urge this course or the other, when prudence utters one advice and faith another, then let us be still, hushing each intruder, calming ourselves in the sacred hush of God’s presence; let us study His Word in the attitude of devout attention; let us lift up our nature into the pure light of His face, eager only to know what God the Lord shall determine—and ere long a very distinct impression will be made, the unmistakable forth-telling of His secret counsel.

It is not wise in the earlier stages of Christian life to depend on this alone, but to wait for the corroboration of circumstances. But those who have had many dealings with God know well the value of secret fellowship with Him, to ascertain His will.

Are you in difficulty about your way? Go to God with your question; get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal.

If you will only get alone, where the lights and shadows of earth cannot interfere, where human opinions fail to reach and if you will dare to wait there silent and expectant, though all around you insist on immediate decision or action—the will of God will be made clear; and you will have a new conception of God, a deeper insight into His nature and heart of love, which shall be for yourself alone a rapturous experience, to abide your precious perquisite forever, the rich guerdon of those long waiting hours.
—David

“STAND STILL,” my soul, for so thy Lord commands: 
E’en when thy way seems blocked, leave it in His wise hands; 
His arm is mighty to divide the wave. 
“Stand still,” my soul, “stand still” and thou shalt see 
How God can work the “impossible” for thee, 
For with a great deliverance He doth save.

Be not impatient, but in stillness stand, 
Even when compassed ’round on every hand, 
In ways thy spirit does not comprehend. 
God cannot clear thy way till thou art still, 
That He may work in thee His blessed will, 
And all thy heart and will to Him do bend.

“BE STILL,” my soul, for just as thou art still, 
Can God reveal Himself to thee; until 
Through thee His love and light and life can freely flow; 
In stillness God can work through thee and reach 
The souls around thee. He then through thee can teach 
His lessons, and His power in weakness show.

“BE STILL”—a deeper step in faith and rest. 
“Be still and know” thy Father knoweth best 
The way to lead His child to that fair land, 
A “summer” land, where quiet waters flow; 
Where longing souls are satisfied, and “know 
Their God,” and praise for all that He has planned.
—Selected

A Servant's Rewards.....Dr. Charles Stanley

A Servant's Rewards

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 6:10

In His grace, God freely gives salvation to those who believe in Jesus. We cannot earn this gift, nor do we deserve it. Our Father does notice our good works, though. And He promises to reward us according to what we have done for Him.

True service occurs when we allow the Lord to work through us for His glory and honor. True ministry occurs when divine resources meet human need through loving channels.

Revelation 22:12 encourages us, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." Whether large or small, all service done in Jesus' name will be blessed. We must be careful, though, that our actions are for Christ's glory. If motives are self-serving, the only benefit we receive is the praise (if any) that we hear from people in this life. And we know that men's approval is not satisfying or lasting.

While some rewards will be given in heaven, other blessings can be experienced now. For example, we know great joy when we allow God to bless others through us. And there is deep satisfaction in realizing that we are pleasing Christ. In addition, there's a profound sense of fulfillment when we lead a person to Jesus and teach him how to walk by faith.

Serving others is both a great benefit and a responsibility for Christians. We should prayerfully consider our motives to make sure that our goal is to glorify Christ. Only then will we receive God's full blessings--rewards given not only in eternity but on earth as well.

Was Psalm 69:9 Jesus' Life Verse?

Was Psalm 69:9 Jesus' Life Verse?
by Alex Crain

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

There’s a good chance you won’t find the term “life verse” in a theological dictionary. For anyone who hasn’t heard the phrase before, “life verse” has become a semi-popular term used by Christians to describe the fact that a certain part of the Bible can be a long-term, recurring source of encouragement… perhaps, throughout one’s entire life.

I’ve heard some Christians say that the act of singling out a life verse can lower a person’s view of the rest of Scripture. In other words, a life verse can be a bad thing. That seems a little picky though. Really, how bad can it be for a Christian to recognize the good effect that a certain Bible verse has on his attitude toward God, life, and whatever problems he’s facing? Besides, doesn’t it sound a little pompous to say, “My life verse is the BIBLE?”

To be honest, I’ve never given much thought about the merits or demerits of life verses. More than once I’ve had to stop and ask myself why I am even writing a devotional about them. But here’s what sparked my interest in the subject. Recently, I saw a phrase in Romans 15:1 that made me curious if Jesus, perhaps, had a life verse during His time on earth.

Paul quotes an Old Testament phrase in Romans 15:3 that Jesus (apparently) had the habit of thinking on as He walked the earth. If this is so, I’m not sure how Paul would have known this. We can speculate that perhaps other people who were close to Jesus during His earthly life may have observed Him quoting it on a fairly regular basis. Maybe Paul overheard something about it during the days he spent visiting the other apostles. Or, possibly, it was revealed to Paul directly during his three-year period of discipleship before he ever met any of the early church leaders in Jerusalem (cf. Galatians 1:15).

Whatever helped Paul to learn about the mental habits of Jesus, what is clear is that the Lord Jesus Christ characteristically overcame temptation for any and all self-indulgence. “Christ did not please Himself,” is the near context of the Old Testament quote that Paul cites next. The way that the rest of the verse strikes me is that Paul seems to imply that Jesus overcame temptation while meditating on a phrase from Psalms 69:9, which says: “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” This passage from Psalm 69 would have been a clear reminder to Jesus that the scorn He received on earth was actually the scorn that people bear in their hearts for God. Such a verse would align His expectations about this life and reinforce Him in His earthly mission.

Now, notice what Paul tells the Romans immediately after his quotation from Psalm 69. See especially verse 4…

2 “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

“For whatever was written…” is a phrase that conveys reasoning. Paul is making an argument for something here. Teasing out his argument a little, I believe Paul is saying:

“Look at Christ’s example of how He dwelt on Psalm 69:9. Scripture gives encouragement and instructs our thinking. It was this biblical perspective that propelled the Lord Jesus with endurance to fulfill the Father’s will and not live for Himself. That’s what you and I are to do.”

Remember, Paul was writing to Jewish and Gentile Christians around 56 AD who were all meeting in segregated house groups throughout Rome. They weren’t exactly the picture of Christian charity and unity. They were looking out for their own preferences—“pleasing themselves” to borrow the language of Romans 15:3. A few chapters back, in Romans 12:1Paul pointed out that they were to be transformed by renewing their minds. Now, in chapter 15, Paul seems to show how that’s exactly what Jesus did.

Whether or not Jesus had a “life verse,” He did let Scripture “dwell richly” in Him (Colossians 3:16). And that’s what Christians are to do as well. Isn’t it interesting that Paul doesn’t just command it? He gives not only reasons but an example—the example of Christ Himself.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Looking at Christ’s example here, how can we doubt or downplay the role of meditating on God’s Word moment by moment as we go through life? In His humanity, Jesus let the truth of God’s Word constantly shape His perspective. This filled Him with encouragement and hope. Let’s do the same today.

God’s Hope for the Grieving

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “And when they were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost.’ And so, they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.” ( John 6:12-13 NAS)

God’s Hope for the Grieving
By DiAne Gates

A number of years ago I was rereading the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000. And in the middle of my grief, His words jumped off the page.

Jesus fed a multitude after He blessed and broke five loaves and two fishes. He also gave His disciples 12 baskets to collect the leftovers so nothing would be wasted.

I’m sure you’re thinking, what has this got to do with my grief? But if our Lord Jesus instructed his disciples to scoop up crumbs of bread and stinky fish—might He want you to gather the crumbs and stinky emotions of your overwhelming grief and bring them to Him also?

God doesn’t waste anything—especially grief!

After the loss of a loved one, crumbs of shattered lives lay scattered around us. And we just don’t have the ability to look beyond our pain—but Jesus does.

How can God ever use anything as dark and ugly as what I’m going through? Which way do I turn? Where do I go? My life is over.

No, your life isn’t over… it’s going to be different. And we don’t like change. But Jesus scoops up the cracked pieces of your life, if you’ll let Him, and places them back on His potter’s wheel where He repairs, integrates, and reshapes each one of us into new vessels. By the power of His love, the warmth of His hands, and the pain we’ve experienced, He changes pride into humility, anger into hope, and rampant sorrow into comfort and love.

A number of years ago I was rereading the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000. And in the middle of my grief, His words jumped off the page.

Jesus fed a multitude after He blessed and broke five loaves and two fishes. He also gave His disciples 12 baskets to collect the leftovers so nothing would be wasted.

I’m sure you’re thinking, what has this got to do with my grief? But if our Lord Jesus instructed his disciples to scoop up crumbs of bread and stinky fish—might He want you to gather the crumbs and stinky emotions of your overwhelming grief and bring them to Him also?

God doesn’t waste anything—especially grief!

After the loss of a loved one, crumbs of shattered lives lay scattered around us. And we just don’t have the ability to look beyond our pain—but Jesus does.

How can God ever use anything as dark and ugly as what I’m going through? Which way do I turn? Where do I go? My life is over.

No, your life isn’t over… it’s going to be different. And we don’t like change. But Jesus scoops up the cracked pieces of your life, if you’ll let Him, and places them back on His potter’s wheel where He repairs, integrates, and reshapes each one of us into new vessels. By the power of His love, the warmth of His hands, and the pain we’ve experienced, He changes pride into humility, anger into hope, and rampant sorrow into comfort and love.

Then He certifies everyone He’s repaired. “… comforting us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” ( 1 Corinthians 1:4 NAS)

Now it’s your choice—His light or your darkness. His comfort or your anger. His love and mercy or your doubt and fear. His peace or your pain. Of course, you will miss whoever you lost. And you will have moments of deep sorrow, but God is continually in the process of bringing good out of your debilitating loss—if you’ll let Him.

God will transform your life. He will turn you into a conduit of His mercy and grace so you can pour out the comfort you’ve received on others about to enter this dismal journey. And the example of your peace will shine the light of His grace and glory into their long, dark tunnel through grief.

A Prayer to Let Go

A Prayer to Let Go
By Steve Arterburn

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” - Proverbs 3:5    

Heavenly Father, help us to put aside our restless uncertainty, and instead learn to trust in you.

When the philosopher and professor of ethics, John Kavanaugh, went to work for three months at the “house of the dying” in Calcutta, he was seeking an answer about how to spend the rest of his life. His first morning there he met Mother Teresa. She asked, “And what can I do for you?” Kavanaugh asked her to pray for him. “What do you want me to pray for?” she inquired.

He voiced his pressing burden: “Pray that I have clarity.” Mother Teresa firmly refused! When the bewildered Kavanaugh asked why, she said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”

When Kavanaugh commented that she always seemed to have the clarity he longed for, she laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

Are things in your life so clear that there’s no room to trust God?

Heavenly Lord, may we trust in you with all our heart from this day until our last day. Amen.