August 10, 2014

Jered Thomas

Daniel 9:16

From dream-foretelling to being in the lion's den, Daniel has experienced God's promises and blessing over and over. The same question Daniel was asked is the question we are asked today, "What do you seek the most?"

 “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. 17 Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Daniel 9:16-19

The story and expierences of Daniel point to a man who has a heart for people, and a willingness to follow God regardless of circumstances.  

Daniel was hand picked by King Nebuchadnezzar because of his ability to foretell dreams.  The king honored Daniel and appointed him over all the province.  He would later serve other kings.  One of which is King Darius.

Daniel was favored by this king.  He was appointed over all other leaders. The other leaders and officials did not like it, so they plotted against Daniel.  They convinced Darius to decree that anyone who prayed to any god except to the King would be thrown into the lion's den.  Daniel continued to pray 3 times a day, just as before.  His bold actions of continueing to seek God more than following the laws led him to be thrown into the lion's den.  But God wasn't done with this man's story. 

On the next morning, the King went to the lion's den to find Daniel, where the Lord had sent his angel to shut the lions' mouth. 

Daniel did not seek his own sake.  Daniel begged for mercy not for God's help for his people.  The same concept is what Jesus Christ later did for us.  He came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and died a horrible death, not for his own sake, but for God's plan of salvation for you and me.

So the question: what do you seek the most? Are you seeking the God of Daniel, the one that shuts lions' mouth. Or we seeking to serve ourselves.  

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will heard from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray and seek my face... once again, what do you seek the most?