God's View!

Daniel lived through a time spanning from captivity under the Babylonians through the time of the power of the Medes and Persians. Because of His faithfulness to God, he found himself being advanced within those governments and even delivered from those who sought his life. God gave Daniel insight into the visions of others -- causing the God of Daniel to be recognized and revered -- and had some of his own visions as well. Some of these visions perplexed Daniel as to when the events described would be fulfilled.

Daniel was a man of prayer. In fact it was his faithfulness to communicating with God that some tried to use against him. ( Daniel 6) However, God was mindful of the situation and delivered him from the mouth of the lions. Daniel’s prayers were marked by a sense of humility as he recognized pleas were not brought before God because of his own (or other’s) righteousness, but rather because of God’s great mercy. ( Daniel 9:18) Do we approach prayer with the same attitude?

On one occasion as Daniel prayed confessing his sin and that of the people ( Daniel 9:20), the response he received was accompanied by a very encouraging statement that is found three times. ( Daniel 9:23; 10:11 & 19) I encourage you to take a look at each of these, noting the context and other encouragement associated with them, but for the sake of space here consider the first of the three.

We read…
“(21) while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. (22) He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, ‘O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. (23) At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, FOR YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.” ( Daniel 9:21-23 ESV)

The Hebrew word used in this text is “chamudah” and is a word that has also been translated “high esteem” or “precious”. God was mindful of Daniel’s situation. God listened to his prayers. Even though Daniel was in a foreign land and served a foreign king he did his best to maintain a faithful relationship with God. And oh how encouraging it is to know one is GREATLY LOVED, especially when that is God’s view.

“For you are GREATLY LOVED.” I think God knew Daniel needed to hear this. I believe He wants us to understand His GREAT LOVE for us as well. When we are LOVED OF GOD, what can separate us from Him? Paul stated there is nothing! ( Romans 8:38-39) However, we still must remain in that love. ( Jude 21) Knowing we are LOVED OF GOD can strengthen us even when we (like Daniel) don’t understand all the details relating to the future. Let us remember that “If God is for us who can be against us?” ( Romans 8:31b) GOD’S LOVE IS GREAT! It was demonstrated through the great gift of His Son. May we be greatly encouraged by it!

Have a great day KNOWING THE GREAT LOVE BEHIND GOD’S MINDFULNESS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on God's Love