December 2
Daniel 9-10
I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord… I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting (9:2-3). Daniel prayed while the nation sinned. He knew what to pray because He read God’s word. Rather than blame others for the exile, Daniel confessed. He did not point fingers. He identified with sinners. He saw that even a prophet has no place to turn except to the Father’s mercy.
The prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me… (10:13). Some commenters say the messenger was Jesus. The text does not tell us that. Though he meets the description, the actions described are more angelic. Either way, what a scene!
We learn that very strong, fallen angels (demons) led a strong attack over the region or perhaps over the nation. We don’t know if the Prince of Persia is assigned to deceive Babylon or Israel, but we know he was effective. We also know that God sent messengers to fight on His people’s behalf.
One is left contemplating what manner of spiritual warfare is going on over cities like Paris, Moscow, and Beijing, and how that might differ from spiritual warfare over New York, Washington, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans, or Austin. Each city has a distinct vibe, a spiritual tone that is far from holy. Does that mean the evil spirit battling that city’s people pours out a deception like greed, power, drunkenness, lasciviousness, aggression, or arrogance? Perhaps, but prayer is still the weapon.
You may have heard people who inquire into the specifics of regional spirits and spiritual warfare. They warn against nonspecific prayers and demand a great deal of attention be paid to the spirits attacking an area. I notice, however, that Daniel does not say anything about specifics. He simply prayed for relief.
1 John 2 (cont.)
Many antichrists have appeared… This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son (2:18, 22). Spiritual warfare fills today’s readings, and the tone of the Bible is surprising. Daniel prays and angels fight. John identifies the antichrist not as a powerful warlord but as false Christians infiltrating churches!
Today, we face a lot of liars, and the whoppers people tell about Christianity make my teeth hurt. Rather than whine about liars, let’s tell the truth about God as often as possible. Let’s gently straighten out our brothers and sisters in Christ (John 8:32, Galatians 6). I believe we’d enjoy restoring those who heard a false Gospel.
The big truth John wanted us to remember is that Jesus is who the Bible says He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is God incarnate. Some deny these facts, and to do so they must also deny the reliable testimony of thousands of eye-witness accounts along with hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. To deny Jesus, one must overlook more evidence than it takes to convict someone in an American courtroom. You might understand why such unbelief offends God.
Skeptics lie. Atheists lie. Agnostics lie. Anything that denies Jesus is the anointed Son of the living God is a lie. Liars may receive God’s grace–God is incredibly graceful–but not infinitely. His patience thins as you have learned. His justice demands truth. He knows what we think of Him, what we say about Him, and if we’re lying.
Proverbs 28:27-28
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. The formula sounds a little odd, like a give to get scheme, but like most proverbs, it’s deeper. Giving to the poor shows that giver trusts The Giver.
