What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Daniel 11

 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-2

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 11:1-20 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  Here the commentary focuses on how God orchestrates the rise and fall of kingdoms; in particular - Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt and Syria - for His glory and purpose. It refers to the broader historical context around the subject of Daniel's vision/prophecies as the "four hundred silent years" - during which God is silent (in terms of God speaking to the people - i.e. through a prophet) - approximately from when the book of Malachi is written to the incarnation of Jesus.  Despite the focus on conflict and the rise and fall of earthly authorities, the commentary seeks for us to understand how God reigns and is sovereign, and how we should look to Him, not the world for who to follow.  The commentary shares these key points as it wraps in its examination of this text:

•  "Our God is sovereign and omniscient, knowing the future to the smallest detail. He can predict the future with pinpoint accuracy.  [E]arthly rulers are mere pawns in the sovereign hands of an omnipotent and providential God."
• "Man in his depravity, pride, and sin has a bloodlust for power and possessions. This is the story of human history since the fall, and it will continue to be our legacy until the return of God’s King and the inauguration of his kingdom."
• "[God's] kingdom is not a fly-by-night empire that is here today and gone tomorrow, an empire and kingdom that is little more than dust in the wind!"
• "In Christ pride gives way to humility, and wanting more and more gives way to giving and serving others. A passion to build my kingdom gives way to a passion to build God’s kingdom! Learn from the mistakes and sins of men and women from the past who pursued earthly gain and not heavenly reward. Avoid the pitfalls of pride and greed; instead, pursue Christ and his traits of humility, generosity, and service."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves and who has saved me...and You provide for all of my needs, never leaving of forsaking me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving Jesus of all these blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.