SCRIPTURE: Daniel 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The army of heaven was restrained from responding to this rebellion. So the daily sacrifice was halted, and truth was overthrown. The horn succeeded in everything it did. [Daniel 8:12]
In this vision of rams and goats and horns clashing, the line that stood out for me was that the army of heaven was restrained from responding to the attack against God’s people (symbolized by the temple and daily sacrifice).
Why does Satan and his plans succeed, why do evil governments remain unopposed by God for so long?
Daniel’s vision also shows things going from bad to worse, one evil empire after another.
His vision applies specifically to those times (interesting parallels to the different empires and rulers – from Babylon to Alexander the Great, his death and the division of his kingdom into 4 kingdoms, the Roman Empire…
But it also applies in general, I believe, to the general flow of history, from one evil empire to another.
Why does God allow this to happen, why does it take so long for God to restore His kingdom?
Why are the forces of good restrained from defeated the forces of evil?
And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. [Matthew 24:6]
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. [Matthew 24:12-14]
Jesus echoes this in His talk about the end times [Matthew 24].
The chaos and mayhem of war must take place, sin will be rampant, but don’t panic; for some their love will grow cold, but those who endure to the end will be saved.
But why?
The answer seems to be that in the darkness, the light of the good news seems to shine brighter.
Perhaps God knows that when things go well on earth, people have less time or heart for Him.
Maybe, in order for the real “good news” to be heard by all, the bad news of this world needs to be experienced.
Consider this, where are more and more people turning to Jesus – is it not in places where there is violence, instability, crisis?
And where are fewer and fewer turning to Jesus, and the love of many growing cold – is it not in the west where we experience relative peace and security?
God is not as concerned about our temporal peace and security as He is about our eternal peace and security.
We need shock therapy to reveal to us how empty and desperate life is without God; we need to be jolted awake to seem how futile and meaningless temporal happiness is.
Like animals being fattened for the slaughter, we are enjoying the food while ignorant of where we’re headed.
If the good news of grace, forgiveness, a better way of life today, and amazing hope for tomorrow is not really that big of a deal for me today, then maybe I need shock therapy, to experience the crisis more… so that I can appreciate the Good News.
PRAYER:
Lord, I admit that I am easily lulled into an easy life, that I do not appreciate all that you are to me enough. I hate to say this for where it might lead, but help me appreciate the Good News more.
This is my Father’s world. How often I forget. Yes, it seems like God is nowhere to be found. Yes, it seems like evil abounds in every nook and cranny of this world. Yes, the questions are many: why does God allow this? Why do good people suffer along with the bad? Why do the bad seem to get away with their iniquities? And so on.
Oh, if only I knew what is coming. If only I could see the future. But I can’t. The only thing I could do is trust – trust that God has sent His word to us, trust that His word is true and trust that this world is indeed His.
Someday, soon, I hope, we will see Him reclaim this world from the reign of evil.
It is beyond understanding.
Kingdoms will rise and fall. Peoples will be destroyed. Evil will conquer the good. And when the evil seems so strong, it will bey. God is the Ruler yet.
Kingdoms will come and kingdoms will fall. God has told us of what will happen before He comes. Knowing this can make us weary and tired and sick, because it seems that this world is all messed up. Yet I too must go and do the King’s business knowing full well that in all times and in all things, God is the Ruler yet. I may not understand but I may work.
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.