In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse three of his book Daniel said,“I set my face to the LORD” where we read,
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,
with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
The verse reads, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I set my face” or “and I, Daniel, yielded, delivered up and fixed my, Daniel’s, presence and countenance” “unto the Lord God” which means “to Jehovah who is the Supreme Deity”, “to seek by prayer” or “to require, desire, exact and request through the means of intercession and by implication a hymn” “and supplications” which means “and earnest entreaty for favor”. Daniel said he fixed his countenance upon Jehovah God the Supreme Deity to desired and request favor from Him through the means of intercession.
The verse goes on to say, “… with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel continued with the words, “with fasting” or “by the means of abstaining from some food or drink pertaining to a religious observance”, “and sackcloth” which means “and mesh or coarse loose cloth used in mourning or humiliation”, “and ashes” or “and powdery residue left after burning a substance”. Daniel shared how he also “fasted”, dressed himself in course cloth as a sign of humility and put on “ashes” or the powdery substance left after burning something.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he humbled himself before God and demonstrated his inward humility by refraining from eating and drinking, wearing course clothing and putting “ashes” upon himself. He desired and requested God’s favor to be upon him. God wants to bless us, and when we humble ourselves, He will lift us up. (See James 4:10) God sent His Son Jesus into world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we humble ourselves and believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we may obtain His favor in this life and the life to come.
Next time Daniel says, “I prayed to the LORD my God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment