We usually end up like Daniel and, finally, turn to the Source of all wisdom, the Lord God (Daniel 9:3). But Daniel does not approach God without humility; he goes in sackcloth and ashes. We tend to approach God wishing He would do something for us, or wanting Him to be our cosmic bellhop. Jesus prayed in such a way that sweat fell from His Face like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Daniel was fervently praying for knowledge that would help him serve his people. Until we see beyond self, it is difficult for God to fulfill our desires ("Not my will, but Thy Will be done!")

Daniel's prayer is a model for our situation today. We have not listened (9:6) and we have gone astray. There is really no hope until we pray Daniel's prayer of confession. Then, and only then, will we learn what we must do to be saved. Not on human acts dow e build our hope, but on God's Mighty Acts. There is no bargaining with God (9:18) and we see in this prayer the Doctrine that we must be saved by Faith. This is a contradiction of humanism, which seems to believe that Faith (Christianity) is only a human affair. Believe me, we can have no confidence in our actions until they are undergirded by what God has done.

I believe that only when we have a great love for God, will we be able to learn Ultimate Truth from Him, and only because we are loved by Him are we able to see Jesus, Who is God's Greatest Truth.

Come to God's Prayer House this Sunday!

In His Service and Yours,