My friend recently sent me an email that I had sent to her back in September of 2010. She had sent it to a friend that was struggling and she remembered that I might need to hear these words of encouragement. I find it crazy how God uses something in my life in one season and then in another season I reread it and realize it is a lesson that I am still not really applying. So I have made a choice to ask for forgiveness and allow God to work in my heart instead of beating myself up for not doing a better job in the last 3 years. So I share the lesson with you, as it is a good one.
I want to share what God showed me in my Bible study time this morning. I was reading in Daniel 10. This is where Daniel had a vision. The Bible states that Daniel knew the message was true, but the appointed time was long. It said in those days he was in mourning for 3 full weeks. In this time he ate no pleasant food or meat, etc., nor did he anoint himself with oil. Then on the 24th day an angel came to him, the Bible tells of how this vision affected him. But what really spoke to me was the verses that follow….
“Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you ” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”Here it shows us that God heard Daniel’s prayer on the first day that he prayed it. But the angel was delayed 21 days due to the prince of Persia (Satan/demons). While Daniel was waiting to hear back from God there was a spiritual battle going on that Daniel wasn’t aware of. But Daniel did not faint in his faith and trust, he continued persistently seeking God.
This brought me much encouragement as there are people that Bob and I are praying for to be saved, or to turn back to God, and it seems to be taking so long. This example in the Bible shows us that there is a spiritual battle going on that we can’t see, but we must press on, trusting God to do His will. We must continue to pray for their lives to be changed, and while we pray we too will be changed because through this we we learn more about the nature and character of God. I pray that this encourages you today in some way.
Growing in Him more every day,
Sheila
I am so grateful for sweet friends that save things and have a heart to encourage! May God encourage your heart as you wait for Him to answer your heart’s cry!
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