Daniel_10

Scripture

Daniel 10:12

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Observation - What does it say?

After having a troubling vision that he didn’t understand, Daniel humbled himself before God and spent three weeks mourning and seeking God for understanding. At the end of the three weeks his answer came via a messenger from God. This messenger explains that as soon as Daniel began to seek God, he was sent in response. But, he encountered opposition by an evil spiritual power he refers to as “the prince of the Persian kingdom,” delaying him 21 days.

Understanding - What does it mean?

This is a fascinating chapter, and I probably have more questions than answers after reading it. However, this one thing stood out to me: Daniel’s prayers were heard and his answer was sent immediately, although he had to wait 21 days before it arrived.

Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 7 to “Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.”

I wonder how many times we pray about something and lose all faith when we don’t see an answer within 24 hours. The "keeping on" is the achilles heel of our prayer life. There are things going on in the spiritual realm we have no idea about. I imagine many times we fail to “keep on knocking,” giving up and walking away when God’s hand is reaching for the handle on the other side, to open the door. Daniel teaches us in this passage to continue seeking without giving up.

Life Application

Keep seeking! For the people I’ve been praying for to come to know Christ, for breakthrough in relationships and in our community, for a powerful move of God in our city.

God, I believe that you hear our prayers and the moment we speak out our prayers the answer is set in motion! I trust that even when I don’t see much happening in the natural, there are things in the spirit that are shifting, angels engaging in battle, hearts being prepared and people being positioned. I believe you meant it when you repeated the promise 7 times, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Fill us with faith and grant that we may be ones who persevere in prayer. Amen.

- Levi Thompson

Matthew___11

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

Observation

Jesus has just finished speaking to a crowd of people about John the Baptist, and He even goes on to somewhat “call out” certain towns that have not yet repented. He then goes on to say that anyone who comes to the Father must know the Son, yet He reassures those people that his “yoke easy and his burden is light.”

 

Understanding

In the past when I have read these verse I tended to only focus on the one that promises rest for a tired and weary soul. The other verses seemed like added “work” and I didn’t understand how they applied to rest. Upon research I discovered that a “yoke” is a tool that is used in farming to join two animals so that the workload becomes equal and shared. Ironically I used to ignore these verses… which seems to be pretty indicative of how I view God trying to “yoke” me. Here’s what I mean while I thought I was busy toiling with my land, God longed to partner alongside me to make my burden less. However, in my stubbornness I haven’t always taken the time to stop and accept the help. Quite honestly I think other people can relate to this to. Rather than taking the time to understand what taking a yoke from someone is, we would rather just do our own thing when there is a way better (and more efficient) way.

The bottom line: God longs to partner with us in order to make our burdens light.

Jesus even says in these verse “I am gentle and humble in heart,” meaning that if it seems like He’s giving us more than we can handle it’s because He’s going to put in the work with us. He’s not going to strand us on our land toiling with no progress. God desires to see growth just was much as we desire to see it too. We have to be willing to let Him in though.

 

Life Application

Take a rest! You don’t have to keep on toiling by yourself. Where do you see areas that you haven’t let God “yoke" you? Take some time to listen and allow God to reveal the places that He longs to work alongside you. I promise it will provide rest that you thought would never come. Let’s choose to partner with God!

-Allison Khan

Matthew__10

Scripture

Matthew 10:39 NIV

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”

Observation-What does it say?

Jesus sends out His 12 disciples in the same authority that He has to heal and cast out impure spirits. The above verse was part of the instructions given to His disciples before He sent them out. He was encouraging them and making them aware of the opposition they would face as His disciples. At the same time, He was encouraging them to take up their cross daily, for when they lose their life for His sake and His mission, that is when they will find it. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

The gains of being a Christ follower are greater than the losses.

This verse can be taken 2 ways-it relates to the present and to the future. It relates to the present in the sense that our lives as Christ followers are not for our own selfish gain or to pursue our own sinful desires. It is the opposite. While others in the world are seeking to "find themselves,” we seek to "lose ourselves" as a servant of Jesus Christ. That's when our true purpose is realized.

This verse also relates to the future- eternity. When we die, we are not lost in a hellish existence. Instead, we find our life, for our true dwelling place to come in eternity with Christ is where our hope lies.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 NIV

Life Application

Do our lives seek to serve Jesus and others? Or are we living for ourselves?

The interesting thing about wanting to serve ourselves is that it never satisfies. We will always want more money, a better title/job, a bigger house and car, a better spouse/relationship, a better body/health, more praise, a better life, more freedom, more justice, etc., and it's a downward spiral that is a result of discontentment because of a thirst that can't be quenched. Then comes the high counseling bills or sometimes destructive means of masking that pain through drug/alcohol use, inappropriate relationships, workaholism, etc.

Our spirit man longs to serve and love Someone greater than ourselves and the END of the search will always be Jesus. Just like Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:14, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst..", the best way for us to find "your best life now,” is to lose it for the sake of Christ.

Dear Jesus, Your Word says that You've given us authority in this world. However, it also says we will face many sorrows in this life as we take up our Cross daily for You, face opposition, as well as give up what we want to serve You and others. Please remind us to find refuge in You and be content in You alone. Please help us to live a life of authority in godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) and remember to be content because You promise that You will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Please remind me of my purpose when I fall into the trap of being envious of the world's gains and question the sacrifice of a Christ follower. May Your Holy Spirit remind me of Proverbs 23:17-18, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi