“Then he touched me and made my hands and knees shake”
(Daniel 10:10). It is an awesome thing to be in the presence of the
living God. What a reassuring thing it was, for Daniel, when he heard
this gracious word: “Daniel, you are highly respected ... Don’t be
afraid” (Daniel 10:11-12). When we are in the presence of God, we must
listen to what He has to say to us - “Pay attention to my words ....”
(Daniel 10:11). We dare not speak words until God gives us the words
that we are to say: “I bowed down ... And was silent” (Daniel 10:15).
When God gives the words, that is the time for speaking (Daniel 10:16).
God gives us words to confess our need of His grace and mercy: “pain has
overwhelmed me, and I’m helpless” (Daniel 10:16). When we look to God
for His grace and mercy, He speaks His Word of encouragement: “Be
strong! Be strong!” (Daniel 10:19). God’s Word makes us strong.
We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of weakness - he is ready to give up: “I’ve had enough now, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). How did Elijah get into such a mess? He forgot this: “The Lord’s power was on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). In all life’s ups and downs, we must hold on to this: The Lord has sent His Spirit of power to live in us (2 Timothy 1:7). How are we to live in the power of the Spirit? We need to feed on the Word of God and drink in the Word of God (1 Kings 17:4). We need to pray that the Lord will send His showers of blessing (1 Kings 17:14). We are to live our life “according to the Word of the Lord” (1 Kings 17:16). For our life of faith to be strong in the Lord, we need to listen attentively to the preaching of God’s Word (1 Kings 17:24).
Comments
Post a Comment