May 2022
Nougat 23
There are times when it seems praying doesn’t work. Even after we’ve had a season of positively answered prayer. And sometimes it’s when we are the ones seeking divine intervention. What then do we do? Are there lessons from the Word to help us in those times? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. … while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.” Daniel 9:3, 21 NIV
“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Daniel 10:2-3, 12 NIV
With the exception of his enforced permanent resident status in Babylon, it seems that all Daniel’s prayers were on rapid response up until this new hurdle. When the king’s dream nearly cost the lives of all wise men in Babylon; Daniel’s faith prayer proves his God still answered prayers. But this one personal request seemed to be trying his faith. Many of us are scared to trust God again after the first disappointment we face. We learn from Daniel’s life that his faith abounded despite ALL that he faced in Babylon. A quick reminder of his experiences:
Daniel was removed from his homeland as a teenager. This was forced migration and he had little or nothing in common with his new country of residence. Having lost everything; family, friends and homeland; his faith remained constant.
Daniel was enticed (tempted) to eat the food of his new country. This was tantamount to adopting their values and becoming a citizen there. His faith didn’t waver.
Daniel saw himself promoted to the top levels of power and trust. He was not beguiled. His faith was anchored in God alone.
Daniel’s promotion and favor with authority led to him being thrown to the lions on the pretext that his faith was proof of anarchy and insurrection. His faith closed the mouths of lions.
Daniel saw a prophetic word that signaled the destruction of his country’s spiritual center. His faith led him to fasting and prayer.
Daniel received a vision that made him exceedingly sorrowful. His faith clothed him in proverbial sackcloth and ashes for 21 days; seeking God’s face in the face of his own disappointment.
The patient fasting was not only marked by abstinence from specific food and drink over the twenty one day period; but was also a time when he avoided social conventions. He was already living a fasted life; and that included a lifestyle of prayer at specific times (see Daniel 6); so his actions were more pronounced than before. When the going got tougher; Daniel’s prayer life got going up a notch. He avoided lotions (perhaps bathing) for the duration of his new fast; which implies he hunkered down and awaited God’s response.
Can we thus learn from Daniel that a No or a Delay to our prayers doesn’t always mean that we are out of favor with God; that we’ve finished our quota of Yeses for the season or that God’s grace cannot sustain us?
Can we learn to trust God especially with the No, and When the going is rough?
This doesn’t mean we refuse to check our actions and motives; it means that we hunker down with God; trusting God’s ability to keep us despite.
Remember, though besieged for 21-days, the fact remains that God overcame then and has subsequently overcome on our behalf through Christ’s resurrection! So, if there’s a No or Wait, God’s still got the victory and it is well.
I pray God’s blessings as we wait; discernment in the waiting and courage to share the testimonies thereafter.
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May all we seek be found in Christ