“My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:8-10 NKJV
As we studied the book of Daniel, we have learned some very powerful truths that are relevant for you and for me today. These truths can transform your life!! They apply to every detail and every part of our life. When we understand the truth and write it upon our own hearts, we are able to see the world from a different vantage point. We are able to see trials, tribulations, and challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks. We are able to focus upon the Joy before us; rather than get bogged down in the sorrows of today. That ember of joy, hope, and faith never goes out when we understand these 7 powerful truths.
1. God Is in Control. When your job seems overwhelming and your boss seems too harsh, God is on His Throne. When feelings of rejection, loneliness or sorrow plague you heart and mind. All your plans were suddenly crushed by devastating chronic illness or cancer eats away at your body. Terror strikes, disaster hits, and life’s storms seem to be raging from every side. Suddenly you are crushed by a financial loss or you lose your job. Everything you dreamed of, desired seemed to have slipped through your hands. When everything seems to falling apart—Know this. God is on His Throne and never makes a mistake. He is providing a way for you in the midst of what seems to be a disaster. Daniel was a very young man-one of a prominent position when he was taken captive by a Pagan King, stripped of his manhood, and placed into service for the King. Seeming disaster? Certainly, by all our standards. Yet, Daniel was provided for, cared for, and lead to write some of the most profound prophecy of the nation of Israel. He stood as an example of humility, gentleness and truth when confronted by the enemies around him. God used Daniel to change the hearts of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius to believe in God. God revealed to Daniel the truth as to when Jesus would arrive in Jerusalem and die to pay the sin of the world. He was also told that Jesus would return one day to reign as King upon the earth as well as heaven.
The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying,
“Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass,
And as I have purposed, so it shall stand Isaiah 14:24 (NKJV)
2. Prayer Moves Heaven and Earth The most powerful tool we have is prayer. Just as Gabriel proclaimed to Daniel, “I was sent forth the moment you began to speak before God.”, the same is true for each of us as we sincerely come before the throne in prayer. I will not pretend to understand all the mysteries of prayer. How a God who is Sovereign hears and answers our prayer is beyond my full comprehension. I just know He does!! I have seen it in my own life so many times. I have watched Him perform miracles within my own life. Sometimes, those miracles are not exactly on my timing or exactly as I imagined; yet, they are always miraculously more than I could have ever hoped for. Yes, I still was widowed. I still battled cancer. There were the seasons of chronic pain and suffering. Yet, in the middle of it all, God strengthened me, loved me and filled me with His Hope. He provided a way out of the darkness. He drew me closer to Him in prayer and allowed me to see Him working out the miracles of my life far beyond my wildest dream.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit Psalm 34:16-18 NKJV
3. God Loves You Just as God called Daniel His Beloved, He calls each and every one of His redeemed as His Beloved Child. For all who know Jesus Christ as their Savior are the Beloved Children of God. As God’s Beloved Child, you have nothing to worry about or to fear. Just as Jesus prayed,
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me John 17: 23 NKJV
4. God works all things for the good of those who seek Him God is able to transform all things into wondrous blessings of joy within our lives. I have seen this first hand. He has taken all the shattered pieces of my life, even my failures and transformed them into good. Look at how God used the den of lions to cause King Darius to proclaim that God was the only true God while at the same time protecting Daniel in the den.
we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
5. The Final Victory is Already Won We must not get trapped within the small battles of everyday life. We must keep our eyes focused on the final Victory which was already won at the cross. As Jesus proclaimed:
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NKJV
6. The Word of God is True and Powerful. Do not neglect the Word of God, it is the sword that will pierce through all your fears, doubts, worries, regrets, and sorrows. It will restore in you the hope, joy and faith you so need to live in this world.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
7. The Ultimate Plan of God is to Bathe you in His Love, shower you with His Joy, and Share with You His Glory. This is your true destiny. Everything else is unimportant compared to eternity. When we focus upon our destiny, the rocky roads of today seem minor nuisances at best. We must keep our eyes upon Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3
Write these truths on your heart.
[tweetthis]God loves me and God is in Control. What have I to fear?[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Every battle of life can be won on my knees![/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”I am God’s Beloved, Redeemed, Blessed Child, heir of the kingdom. Why would I ever worry?” username=”effiedarlene”]
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Photograph used by permission https://unsplash.com/@lissalde
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.