This sets the stage for the story of
Daniel: Jewish kings who had done evil in the sight of the Lord being
puny and dispensable vassals for enemies’ kingdoms rather than abundant
life in the Promised Land and sweet “real-ationship” with the Most High
God. The Lord sets up kings in any time and any place and He deposes
them. And when the time is ripe for Your anger, You cast them out from
Your presence. I wonder if the people felt the relentless change of
power as a threatening thing or as a welcome relief? Were they hoping
for a better life with each new ruler? Or did the shifts foster an
apathetic mindset which lent itself to living for self? It seems the
state of the union faltered more and more with each wicked leader…the
leaders led the people to increase in the sin, (granted, with the
occasional generational respite of a godly leader) and so the nation
goes.
These circumstances cause me to reflect on my home, America. The
people, my people are pursuing sin and evil in increasing manner, apart
from a few, the leaders seem to open the gates to the floods of
immorality, perversion and laziness. Lord, 200+ years ago we began in
tough circumstances and yet, You prospered us. We had abundant life and
freedom to the “real-ationship” with You; and we have been slowly
squandering the privilege on the pride of life, the comfort and lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eye. Whatever we want, however we can
get it. How have we so cheapened ourselves and our voices that we can
be bought for a cell phone? How can we be so deceived that we choose to
live in extravagant comfort now without regard to our children and our
children’s children? We choose to live now and don’t give thought to 10
years from now. God, help us. I know that Daniel is a great story of
Your presence and faithfulness; please Father, raise up Daniels and
Daniellas in our time. Please don’t let what began in pursuit of You
end without You – not everyone chooses a life without You. Please help
us to bless Your Name, to love You with all our essence, to be a true
friend to Your people, to obey Your Word – like Daniel, Azariah, Meshael
and Hananiah. Please let us choose You over ourselves, and any thing
which would set itself up against You. You and You alone, Lord God.
Please don’t any of our children be cast away from Your presence. Help
us to be useful to Your purposes…good examples and not terrible
warnings. Let us use our choices and voices with Kingdom purpose,
divine discernment and godly wisdom.
These circumstances cause me to reflect on my home, America. The people, my people are pursuing sin and evil in increasing manner, apart from a few, the leaders seem to open the gates to the floods of immorality, perversion and laziness. Lord, 200+ years ago we began in tough circumstances and yet, You prospered us. We had abundant life and freedom to the “real-ationship” with You; and we have been slowly squandering the privilege on the pride of life, the comfort and lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye. Whatever we want, however we can get it. How have we so cheapened ourselves and our voices that we can be bought for a cell phone? How can we be so deceived that we choose to live in extravagant comfort now without regard to our children and our children’s children? We choose to live now and don’t give thought to 10 years from now. God, help us. I know that Daniel is a great story of Your presence and faithfulness; please Father, raise up Daniels and Daniellas in our time. Please don’t let what began in pursuit of You end without You – not everyone chooses a life without You. Please help us to bless Your Name, to love You with all our essence, to be a true friend to Your people, to obey Your Word – like Daniel, Azariah, Meshael and Hananiah. Please let us choose You over ourselves, and any thing which would set itself up against You. You and You alone, Lord God. Please don’t any of our children be cast away from Your presence. Help us to be useful to Your purposes…good examples and not terrible warnings. Let us use our choices and voices with Kingdom purpose, divine discernment and godly wisdom.