OK, I will just “fess up” right now. I am one of those annoying people who, when in a hurry, will blurt out the rest of the sentence, or thought, or whatever someone else is trying to say — and they are perhaps taking just a little too long to say it, evidently, in my estimation.
Yes, I have truly worked at trying to keep it a “thought” in my head, not spoken out loud. And yes, I have failed often at this. I know it is not a positive thing to do.
So imagine how I felt when my fav devotional author, Henry Blackaby, referred to how God does this (sort of) but in an amazingly wonderful way and for a totally different and wonderful reason. Not like my self-focused impatience situation.
Blackaby pulled up the story of Daniel – the setting was when Daniel was in exile in Babylon as a result of his nation’s utter defeat by the Babylonians. Daniel, he said was “desperately” wanting to make sense of his circumstances.
It also answered my question about the whole nation of Israel getting punished due to their sins as a nation. Officers of the priests and the people were exceedingly unfaithful, following the abominations (idol worship) of the other nations, polluting the house of God, ignoring years of warnings. But I always think ‘what about the good folks who were faithful?’ Like Daniel and I am sure others like him. They also suffered in exile. Of course, they were a minority…but I digress.
So Daniel did what he had done so many times before: he prayed. I wondered – is that my first response? Shouldn’t it be? Especially in those times of my ‘impatience’.
God wants to answer the prayers of those whose hearts are completely His, Blackaby reminds me. He points to 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
So what happened when Daniel went to prayer to understand the circumstances around him? Let me refer you to chapter 9 of the book of Daniel where Daniel shares that he was speaking, praying, confessing his sin and the sins of the people and making his request in prayer. It was definitely a God-focused prayer.
The angel Gabriel appeared and interrupted Daniel who was still in the middle of praying. And what does he say? See verse 23, “At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So consider the message and understand the vision.”
As Blackaby points out, God had immediately dispatched the angel Gabriel when Daniel started praying – at the beginning of his supplications. He “didn’t even wait for Daniel to finish his prayer. Why?” Here is Blackaby’s point – because God loved Daniel greatly! What a wonderful testimony. He states, “There had been times when Daniel’s love for God had been put to the test. Now, when Daniel was in need, God was quick to respond in love to him.”
Don’t miss that part of the Daniel 9:23 verse that says “…for you are treasured by God.” Isn’t that what we long to be? …treasured by God? Go back to the 2 Chronicles verse where God ranges throughout the earth looking to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
But here is the very timely statement of Blackaby’s on which I want to camp, and be reminded of frequently – “God can accurately orient you to the events of your day.” Daniel was in the time of captivity – it had been a long, grueling time for Daniel – he was being required to understand and explain a vision (in chapter 8). But it was so terrible, it left Daniel exhausted and sick for days. And he still searched for understanding.
I want to camp on Blackaby’s statement that God can accurately orient you to the events of your day, because the times in which we live are troubling me. Blackaby expounds on it – “Media, public opinion, and political leaders cannot tell you the truth of your circumstances. Only God can. God loves you and will speak to you in His time. His answer may come immediately as it did in Daniel’s case, or it may be delayed, but it will come.”
I find it noteworthy that Blackaby wrote these words in 1998! Fits today, right?
But I will take hope in how he summarizes his point: “If it seems as though everything is crumbling around you, and you wonder why you do not see God’s activity, take comfort in knowing that you are loved in heaven. If you are genuinely seeking God’s answers, you can go to your Father confidently with your questions. He will respond to you in love.”
I leave you with the verses he offered, Luke 11:5-13, and I will rely heavily on the key assurance that God answers prayer (even before I get it fully out and asked) – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (v.9-10)
He will respond to us in love!
