What makes you pound the table? Is there a particular issue close to your heart, that really makes you passionate? As you look at our world, do you see things that just make your soul cry out, “This is not right! This is not the way it is supposed to be!”? On a recent plane trip I was talking with a fellow passenger who was filming a documentary for PBS on family law, particularly our divorce court system. As we talked, I could sense how this project has taken a toll on his soul. This man has been recording story after story of heartache and misery. As far as I knew he was not a believer, but he had witnessed up close the ugliness of sin. Recently, I have had the joy of teaching through the book of Daniel. What a great book! In the midst of Israel’s darkest days, God, in his glorious, sovereignty, shines through bringing hope to Daniel and to his people. In chapter nine, we see what makes Daniel pound the table, we see what he is most passionate about. Daniel has witnessed the destruction of the nation of Israel. Because of their wickedness and rebellion, God’s specially chosen people had been taken captive and had been living for several decades under the subjection of pagan kings who worship false gods. Daniel has held high rank in the courts of some of the most powerful kings in human history including the infamous Nebuchadnezzar. He has seen God demonstrate his sovereign power and rule over all nations, people and languages, yet God’s people, Daniel’s people are still exiles. Then in chapter nine, as Daniel is reading the Scriptures, he realizes that the time of exile was coming to an end. Soon the Hebrews would return to the Promised Land. In response, Daniel prays. Daniel’s reading of the Scripture, motivates him to pray and informs his prayers. The content of Daniel’s prayer is fascinating. He does not call for the destruction of Israel’s enemies. He does not ask for prosperity for himself or for his people. Rather, he humbles himself before God, and confesses the sins of his people. He declares in verse seven, “To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame…” and later in verses eight and nine, “To us, O Lord, belongs open shame…to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.” Daniel recognizes that all these things have happened because of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Yet, Daniel knows that God is faithful and keeps his promises. So, at the end of his prayer, as Daniel calls out to God to hear his pleas for mercy, he states “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” Daniel calls out for mercy and forgiveness, not because he wants the goodies of God’s blessings, but he calls out to God, because God’s name, God’s reputation is at stake. This was Daniel’s primary concern. This attitude of Daniel’s caused me to stop and think about my prayers. What motivates my prayers? Do I want the goodies, or am I primarily concerned about God’s glory? I am also struck by how Daniel includes himself in Israel’s sin. He’s not pointing fingers. As we pray for our nation, is this our attitude? And are we motivated by a passion to see God most glorified, or do we simply want the goodies? – ”Lord heal our land…so that our kids can pray in school, or we can get rid of pornography, or abortion, or drugs and crime, etc., etc.” To value anything less than the glory of God, is valuing something else as higher than God. To place anything above God is nothing less than idolatry. Soli Deo Gloria…glory to God alone! — Pastor Dave
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The “Power of God”