A God Who Answers | Part Eleven.

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

“If all is well, why am I like this?” [Genesis 25:21-22] Paul must have asked this same question several times as he battled with the thorns (difficulties, hardships, persecutions, pains) in his flesh. [2 Corinthians 12:1-10]

In all the endowment of his life, he did not lose sight of his weaknesses, his humanity. Maybe that is why God allows the "buts," the "like these" in our lives. Maybe they are the landmarks, the "in-body experiences," to balance our "out-of-body experiences." They are the weights that keep us from being sucked into empty Outer Space.

The Lord's counsel to Paul might just be appropriate for us also. He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” [2 Corinthians 12:9] He is asking that we always depend on Him. He wants to be a part of the equation in all we do and think. He does not want to leave us at the mercy of our own vain selves.

Again, the story is His, not ours. Ours is a part of His. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) It appears each time we attempt to go ahead of God, He has a way of pulling the brakes, and helping us gain perspective. 

What Elijah had thought in this wise? What if he had seen himself as he truly is, a pawn in God's chess game? Would he have thought himself the only one serving God? Would he have wanted to die, and leave the scene? Elijah's ministry and life ended because Elijah chose, not because he was done.

Yet, God took him home in a chariot of fire. What does that exhibit? Grace! Grace!! Grace!!! God is the main actor in the scene. Yet, He calls us to partner with Him, to take part in the shine. The challenge comes when we miss position, and suppose it is all about us. Nope. It is all about Him.

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Ten.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

A Fasted Life | The Saint.

A God Who Answers | Part Ten.

 

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

We continue digging into the phrase "withstood me," through the contention-filled life of Jacob. Rebekah asked the question. “If all is well, why am I like this?” [Genesis 25:21-22]

I just got out of a week of congestion. My whole body lost its strength, and I was off my regular exercise routine. My numbers were up and that was taking its toll on my usual upturned confidence. My heart began to question my path, as the deep thinker that I am.

Yeah, I knocked on the doors of doubt and worry, but caught myself before I could be swallowed up by them. Paul Tillich says, "Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith." Really? The struggle is real.

Anne Lamott adds, "The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns."

Wow! This almost perfectly depicts my meditations this morning, as I deep thought. Like Rebekah, I asked, “If all is well, why am I like this?” The struggle is real. Imagine Moses after Pharaoh sought his life. He had seen Him who is invisible and was responding accordingly, but...

Imagine Elijah. He had only just prayed the rain down, after three (3) years of no rain. He had called fire down from heaven, but...Jezebel was not floored. That was outside of the box of Elijah's expectations. “If all is well, why am I like this?” 

Elijah was done. He was not expecting such a struggle. Was God? Did God allow this? Is anything amiss? The struggle is real. Nowhere did God assuage Elijah's feelings. God even ferned ignorance of Elijah's struggles, as He asked why Elijah had come to the mountain. [1 Kings 19:13-14]

The struggle is real. God did not as much as notice Elijah's response as much. [1 Kings 19:15-18] He simply gave him what the next assignment is, and right-sized his thoughts. Elijah thought he was the only one left serving the Lord. God told him of seven (7) thousand still standing.

The struggle is real, but God has it all under control. NOTHING runs amuck. God is in control and always is. The struggle is real, but we can always right-size before God. It is not about Elijah. It is not about Rebekah. It is not about you. It is not about me. It is all about God.

When Elijah is done, God will continue with Elisha. We are each here to do our own part in God's story. We are not the main actors. God is.

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Nine.

A God Who Answers | Part Eleven.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

A Fasted Life | The Saint.

A God Who Answers | Part Nine.

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

I love scriptures that open to us how the invisible realm operates. If nothing else, it saves us from the deceptions of those who claim they know what they have no clue about. Here the scripture paints the picture of an encounter between an archangel and territorial demons (kings of Persia). Note the plurality.

Territorial demons were able to delay an archangel on God's assignment. Why and How? 'Tis a legal system. The question is who has the legal hold. It is not as though they were shooting mortars armament at each other. Note the word used by the archangel, "withstood me."

The root Hebrew word used here simply means to stand one's ground, not to wobble or shift. Those in states with "stand your ground rules" in the USA will perfectly understand this. It is a law or rule which permits you to defend a land, ground, or territory that belongs to you.

So, the Princes, and Kings of Persia were simply standing their ground, and laying claim to the territory. Obviously, they could not do that except if they have some kind of legal claim. And, they were using that legal claim to hold the Archangel back from carrying out his assignment in the area.

Whatever they hold they had, it was so efficacious they were able to hold back God's agenda for 21 days (three FULL weeks). Note the emphasis in Daniel 10:2. I guess there is a whole lot we need to learn and know about the spirit (invisible) world, and thus rightly size our ego.

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Eight.

A God Who Answers | Part Ten.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

A Fasted Life | The Saint.

A God Who Answers | Part Eight.

 

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

We continue digging into the phrase "withstood me." The other example that comes to mind in this direction of thought is Jacob. He lived a life of struggles from conception. He was competitive. Been there. Done that. And, have my last daughter presently there.

Genesis 25:21-22 reads,

"Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord."

The struggle is real. I love Rebekah's question. “If all is well, why am I like this?” If all is well, why the trouble (struggle, tension, confusion, shaking, doubt, tension, contention, disappointments, delays, etc.) in my life?" Why? Don't we all have such questions in our lives?

The struggle is real. Note Jesus, in saving us, did not isolate us from the world. His prayer for us, in John 17:15-16 was, "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one."

The struggle is real. Yes, Rebekah! All is well with you. It is all part of the plan. If there were no struggles, there would be no victories to be won. There will be no growing, maturing, building, or development. There is wisdom in it all. There is a method in the seeming commotion.

The struggle is real. Jesus teaches us to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13a) There is something amiss with the first part here, as it runs against the totality of the counsel of scriptures.

First, God does not lead us into temptation. [James 1:13] Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tempted. [Matthew 4:1] Third, the word "but" is typically used to cancel or moderate the statement before it. So, in saying, "But deliver us from the evil one" what was said prior exposes us to the evil one.

In light of the above, I dare to re-write Matthew 6:13a as, "And lead us to every temptation you have ordained for our path, but deliver us from the evil one."

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Seven.

A God Who Answers | Part Nine.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

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A God Who Answers | Part Seven.

 

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

We continue digging into the phrase "withstood me." Our calling is to grow into Christ in all things. There is no other way. In John 15, Jesus tells us, "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit will be taken away." Note the word, "Every." It is not some, but every. 

Growth is the initiative of the kingdom, no excuses allowed. More like is operational in some organizations. If you are not growing, you are falling out. You are supposed to be in certain positions in certain timelines. You either qualify and attain, or you are asked to resign or retire.

That is very much the way the kingdom works. You are either productive (useful) or useless. You are either rooting out the devil or you are being rooted out. There is no middle ground in the spirit. If you are not standing for something, you are falling for something. 

So, Jesus says, "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit will be taken away." You wonder how many people God has already taken away. People who seem to have life but are empty on the inside. Fans that have since been disconnected from the power source. Still rolling, but only with past glories, no fresh manna.

Hoping you are not counted in this lot. The call is ours, not God's. The ball is in our court. The next move is ours to make. To those who bear fruit, who are growing, extending, standing firm and strong, who refuse to be satisfied with anything less than the fullness of God, He supports. [John 15:2]

He gives them more grace, and enablement to function, grow and produce. He lifts up their spirit and fills them with Himself, so they might be fresh and produce even much more. They don't grow weary. They don't faint. For the almighty supports them. [Isaiah 40:31]

They are like the trees planted by the stream. They bring forth their fruit in season. Their leaf does not wither, and all they do prospers. [Psalm 1:1-3]

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Six.

A God Who Answers | Part Eight.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

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A God Who Answers | Part Six.

 

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

We continue digging into the phrase "withstood me." Continuing from "The Passion Translation" (TPT) rendering of Galatian 5:1, we see the importance of falling in love with our stand. That is where the strength, push, and power for defending it come from.

Yes, we come in as babes into the fold, but we are not meant to remain the same. That which we are enabled to see and comprehend, as part of our rite of the entrance, ought to work a difference in us. Otherwise, our entrance is in vain. Unfortunately, that is the story of a great many in the fold.

The Apostle Peter admonishes us to DESIRE the sincere milk of the word. [1 Peter 2:2] Desire, is a word with similarity to "CHERISH. He is saying let your heart be involved in it. Don't be passive. Be active about the whole process. Be a participator, not an outsider. Associate with the process, not dissociate.

God hates slothfulness, lukewarmness, and the like. [Romans 12:11; James 5:16; Revelations 3:16] He is looking for those who will serve Him in wholeness (spirit) and without holding anything back (naked, truth). [John 4:24] Those are the people whom He empowers to root out the enemy. Those are the people who stay and hold firmly their stand.

Note the Apostle Peter qualifies the Word we are to seek, with two equally powerful words - "SINCERE MILK." Only one of these would have been sufficient, but the Apostle did not think so. He needed to make the emphasis. 

The word is not just our nourishment and empowerment, it is unadulterated and pure. It can be dependent on. It is guaranteed by Jehovah God Almighty. And none of His words will fall to the ground. We can bank on it. We can bank on God.

I love the way the Apostle ends that verse of scripture. He states the reason why we should desire the SINCERE MILK of the Word of God. It is not so we might preach, evangelize, show off, or fulfill a religious observation. He says it is so we might "GROW THEREBY."

If your taking in of scripture is not growing you, you are a failure. You have missed the mark. You are doing something other than what the Apostle is here admonishing us to do. We don't desire the word to become another body in a church or religious congregation. We desire so we can be more like Jesus.

Jesus is our mark, not our pastor, bishop, or whosoever. Jesus is our target. He is our idol, statute, and goal. Just a little more like Jesus, every day is our song of victory and triumph on this side of eternity. That is what God looks down at and says, "This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased."

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Five.

A God Who Answers | Part Seven.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

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A God Who Answers | Part Five.

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."

We continue digging into the phrase "withstood me." I love the way The Passion Translation (TPT) renders Galatian 5:1. It reads,

"At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past."

Where most of us lose the initiative to take our freedom stand because we are unaware, nor do we cherish it. This is partly because those who are supposed to help and support us are about other things. They have left their duty post and are no better than the people they are called to help.

Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us,

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers were called to support the saints, not dominate them. They are ministers (servants), not overlords or masters, under Shepherds, not hirelings. Unfortunately, many have allowed their flesh to have the better of them and are all about jostling for titles and self-grandiose.

We can do better. We can rise to the occasion of our calling. This is life. This is it. It is not a practice session. The curtains are up. The lights are on. The film is rolling. Let's roll.

The Saint.

Link to Similar Articles:
A God Who Answers | Part Four.

A God Who Answers | Part Six.

My Resolutions: Resolution One.

A Fasted Life | The Saint.