“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."

Daniel 10

“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." v12

Blessings await those who submit to God.  While the Israelites continue to live in exile due to their the sin and wickedness, Daniel experiences blessing - here through encouragement by an angel sent by God.

My Prayer: Lord, You have blessed me beyond what I deserve, with words and signs of encouragement and love, but also through people and provision in my life.  I know You love me, despite what I do - and despite the fact that I continue to fall short of being the Godly man you intend me to be.  Thank You Jesus for such love, grace, mercy, patience, and blessing.  Please forgive me for my selfishness, my lack of patience, and critical words for others.  Help rid me of these sins.  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.

“‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

Daniel 7

26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

Daniel's vision provides a glimpse of the end of times - the rapture when Jesus comes again to earth to save His kingdom.  For me, these verses provide yet another motivation to live with the end in mind.  We do not know when the appointed time will come so we are to be prepared.  We are also to prepare others and bring all others into the kingdom - on this latter mission I need help....on both really.

My Prayer: Lord, You created the universe and everything in it.  You are full of patience, gracy, and mercy.  That You love me and seek me is amazing...particularly because of my sin.  Thank You that You love me in spite of my sin.  Please forgive me for my lust, my selfishness, and my lack of patience...among my many sins. Help rid me of these sins and also help me so that Your desires are my desires.

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Daniel 6

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. v3

I am challenged here to live a life that "so distinguishes" myself from others...in all that I do, including my work, my role as a husband, and father, and as a child of God.

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 1 Peter 2:18

Even King Darius recognized Daniel's love of God:

When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” v20

My Prayer: Lord, You are worthy of worship both through prayer and praise but also through life that pleases You.  You are great in so many ways, it is impossible to fully describe.  I desparately need You Jesus for I am imperfect and I sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...forgive me for my critical nature and my lack patience.  Help me be more like You.

“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven."

Daniel 5

I need to be a good example for my children...otherwise they will more easily fall prey to Satan.

Here in Daniel, as posted yesterday, for much of his life King Nebuchadnezzar worshipped gods other than the one and only true God and although ultimately he placed his faith in God, there were periods of his life where perhaps he might not have been a good example for his son Belshazzar who becomes king in Daniel 5.

18 “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven.

Of course, I seek to be the best example I can for Zach and Dustin.  Yet a huge part of this is prayer and faith....

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE the one and only God.  You are God of all things and capable of all things.  And You love me...all of me...despite my failings.  Thank You Lord Jesus for such love but please forgive me for my critical nature.  Help me be encouraging to Lisa so that I can be viewed as encouraging to Zach and Dustin...please help me do this.

And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 All the peoples of the earth

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

or say to him: “What have you done?”

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

The Lord is able tear down all those who exalt other Gods, including themselves...He also is able to restore those who repent and turn to Him.  God gives us second (and third and so on) chances.  The key thing here is that we don't know when God will tear us down and how He will tear us down. We MUST live as if God can tear us down at any time.  Live in irreverent fear of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the Most High...pure, holy, and perfect.  Able to know and do all things - creator of the universe and everything in it.  That You love me personally is amazing because You certainly don't need me nor am I worthy of such love.  I am imperfect and I have critical thoughts and comments about people and this is just ONE example of my sin.  Thank You that You love me anyway but PLEASE forgive me!  Rid me of such sin and help me live a life more worthy of Your love...help me such that Your desires are my desires.  Help me such that I can have a daring faith.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!

Daniel 3

²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!  They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. v28

What is interesting in this story is how quickly Nebuchadnezzar turns from worshipping God, to idols of gold, then back to God...only when he is able to see miracles such as those when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are unharmed by the furnace into which they were thrown.

Here is the king in Daniel chapter 2 after Daniel interprets the king's dream for him:

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

...then...in Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar reverts to his old ways and worships an idol of himself in gold!

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”  Daniel 3:1-6

The question for me is - am I able to maintain a sense of awe in the greatness of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior such that I ONLY worship Him as He commands:

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-8

My Prayer: Lord, I am in awe of all that You are, all that You have done - for me and for all those who believe in You.  Yet I am not certain if I love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul as You command.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help deepen my love for You and my trust in You, and my obedience in You.  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires. 




He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Daniel 2

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

 he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him.

Daniel knows from where wisdom and knowledge come - it is through Jesus Christ alone, He is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.

We must acknowledge this and not only remain humble as a result but also seek Him out for wisdom and knowledge.

My Prayer: Lord, there is no God like You.  You are Truth, Light, Wisdom, and Knowledge...and of course so much more!  You are Pure, Holy, and Perfect.  I need You in my life for so many reasons including to redeem my sin and to save me from being damned.  I also need You so that I can life...born again in You.  You love me even though I am not even close to who You are...even though I don't love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.  I am not daring.  Thank You Jesus for loving me anyway but please forgive me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul.  Help me have a daring faith. I want to serve You.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Daniel 1

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

God is the source and origin of all life and everything about life. He also provides in all circumstances.  We must however obey Him and trust in Him and not take matters into our own hands.  We are to work hard with what God gives to allow God to shine through us.

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

1 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

God is the creator of all...

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

The story of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-48) also is an example of obeying God, trusting in Him and allowing God to shine through you.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a God that provides in all circumstances.  I only need to obey You and trust in You.  Yet I don't - thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.  I seek to trust you also with the same fervor and I seek to delight You with my life today and every day.

"And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.”

Ezekiel 48

"And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.” v35

This is of course very comforting to know that the Lord is where you live, work, etc.  Yet even more comforting to know is that the Lord everywhere and that if you seek Him you will find Him:

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

This is also found here:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord, I know that You are everywhere and available anytime.  You exist in my heart and Your spirit resides in me.  It is up to me to seek You out and to do so with all of my heart, mind and soul.  Your love for me is boundless and this is a blessing beyond my description.  Thank You Jesus.  Thank You for Your love for me, and for Your availability to me.  You are truly a great God, also beyond description how great You are.  Forgive me for my critical words and thoughts of others.  Rid me of this sin.  Help me be more encouraging of all.



and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.

Ezekiel 43

...and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. v2

As the Lord brings the Israelites back from exile to Jerusalem, He also restores the city and the temple.  He makes His presence known through Ezekiel:

...and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. ³ The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. ⁴ The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. ⁵ Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. v2-5

What a great God we have that He forgives and restores.  He is full of mercy and compassion - even when we are not deserving.

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE a great God and full of compassion and mercy - even when we are not deserving.  You forgive and restore...and of course that is only a tiny sliver of who You are and how great You are!  Words cannot describe how great You are!  And that You love me despite my impatience, selfishness, and my critical thoughts and words for others.  Thank You Lord for such mercy and love.  Please forgive me.  Please help rid me of such sin and help me so that I see others as You do.  And that Your desires are my desires Lord.  Help me deepen my desire for You and serve You fully - with all of my heart, mind, and soul.

“‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39

⁷ “‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel. v7

Yesterday, Pastor Scott sermoned on Acts 5, where Scott implored us to be in irreverent fear and respect for the Lord.

The same thing here applies in Ezekiel - where the Lord tells Ezekiel that His name will not be profaned.  This message is directed towards me, you, and all believers who willingly disobey and sin.  God's patience is not unlimited for those that sin openly like Ananias and his wife Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11.

My Prayer: Lord, You are pure and holy, and perfect.  I strive to be more like You.  Most of all Lord I strive to please You, if only because You desire this and I exist for this.  I fall down however often, with impatience, anger, and selfishness, just to name a few.  I know You Lord that You love me anyway, but please forgive me.  Help rid me of these sins and help me become more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires and so that I can honor and delight You with my life everyday.

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live[.]

Ezekiel 37

Due to their sin, God scattered the Israelites and destroyed Jerusalem.  Yet there is hope and restoration for those in despair, even for those who have sinned greatly and endured the wrath of God's anger.

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live[.] v14

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” v11-14

Although I am not currently in despair, I gain great comfort in knowing that my God is both a God of great power and great mercy.  His anger and disappointment for me are not an end in itself...instead they are because He loves me.  God punishes out of love.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are God full of love for me and You love me all the time no matter what I do...even when You punish me, You love me.  What a great God You are that You have such love for me. I am not deserving of such love.  I try and love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul but I fail often.  Thank You for loving me Jesus anyway but please forgive me.  Help me grow my love for You and help me so that Your desires are my desires.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. v26

Throughout the Old Testament, you can read about how sinful Israel was - yet God restores. 

27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel! v27-32

Key things I need to remember is that God's patience is not unlimited - God reserves the right to punish me.  Also, everything He does is for HIS glory....not for me.   My Prayer: Lord, Your works and Your will are perfect.  I have seen and witnessed Your work in my life and I am amazed.  You are also so patient and merciful with me.  I am not deserving of such blessing and patience.  I fail to love You with all of my heart mind and soul.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my weakness and failings.  Encourage and energize me.  Give me strength.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me glorify You.

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

Ezekiel 33

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. v32

I think here of James to put faith into action:

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

I am often guilty of such sin - saying I am a believer but not acting as I am a believer.

My Prayer: Lord, Your are pure and holy and perfect - doing all that has been asked of You - even dying on the cross - for me.  And You are so full of love and compassion for me - even though I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my weakness and lack of action.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me so that I am more bold and in action.

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.

Ezekiel 18

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. v31

Jesus Christ offers life, new life, freedom from sin, and eternity with the Father in Heaven.

How can one not have, peace, joy and other fruits of the spirit when provided such a gift!  What a great God Jesus is!!

My Prayer: Lord, I know that You provide life, new life, and eternal life in Heaven with You - all of which is a blessing beyond what I deserve.  Lord thank You for loving me as You do even though I don't deserve it.  Forgive me for my neglect of You as I know I am to love You with all of my heart, mind and soul.  Help me deepen my love for You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me be more bold being Jesus to others and sharing the love of Jesus of others.

Ezekiel 17

It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’ v8

Again I see a reference to growth in fertile soil and near a source of feeding.   We must separate ourselves in the same way - find fertile soil and feed ourselves.

This is also referenced in Matthew 13.

²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” v20-23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen with my own eyes how You have produced fruit in me and others by planting them in good soil and feeding people.  You are a great God full of mercy, compassion, kindness, etc.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing but You provide it anyway.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my lack of boldness and courage (in fact I am stingy with Your good news!) to spread the good news of Jesus.  Please help me be more bold, courageous, and less stingy.

But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute

Ezekiel 16

But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. v15

The Lord has blessed us beyond what we deserve...He has rescued us, loved us when no one else did, and He restored us to Him.

On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. 5 No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised.

6 “‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!”[a] 7 I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew and developed and entered puberty. Your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, yet you were stark naked.

8 “‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.

9 “‘I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. 10 I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. 11 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, 12 and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. 14 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. v4-14

Yet as v15 says we, including me, misuse the blessings and gifts places in our trust.  We use them for our own glory instead of for His glory.  We all do this, including myself.

My Prayer: Lord, You did love me when no one else did and You did bless me beyond what I deserve...and then some!  Yet I misuse my blessings and gifts and seek glory for myself...how wicked is this!  I know You love me anyway...thank You Jesus...but please forgive me for such wickedness.  Help me seek only to glorify You Jesus.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.