Day 257 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 14 September 2023 reflections
Day 257, 14 September 2023
1) Daniel 6,9
Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lions' Den
1 (Est 1:1; Da 5:31) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom
one hundred and twenty officials,
so that they would be over the whole kingdom,
2 (Ezr 4:22; Da 2:48-49) and over them three presidents,
of whom Daniel was first, so that the officials might give accounts
to them and the king not suffer loss.
3 (Da 5:12; 5:14) Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents
and officials because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king
thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 (Ge 43:18; Jdg 14:4) Then the presidents and officials sought
to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom,
but they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful;
nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5 (Ac 24:13-16; 24:20-21) Then these men said,
"We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,
unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
6 (Da 2:4; Ne 2:3) Then these presidents and officials assembled together
to the king, and said to him: "King Darius, live forever!
7 (Ps 59:3; Da 3:2) All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors,
and the officials, the counselors, and the captains have consulted
together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree,
that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days,
save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 (Est 1:19; Da 6:15) Now, O king, establish the decree
and sign the writing, that it not be changed,
according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered."
9 (Ps 118:9; 146:3) Therefore King Darius signed the writing, even the decree.
10 (Ps 55:17; 95:6) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went
into his house. And his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem,
he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he had been doing previously.
11 (Ps 37:32-33; Da 6:6) Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying
and making supplication before his God.
12 (Da 6:8; Est 1:19; Da 3:8-12) Then they came near and spoke
before the king concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree,
that every man who asks a petition of any god or man within thirty days,
save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?"
The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law
of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered."
13 (Da 2:25; 3:12) Then they answered and said before the king,
"That Daniel, who is of the sons of the captivity of Judah,
does not regard you, O king, or the decree that you have signed,
but makes his petition three times a day."
14 (Mk 6:26) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sorely displeased
with himself and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. And he labored
until sunset to deliver him.
15 (Est 8:8; Da 6:12) Then these men came by agreement to the king
and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes
and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may
be changed."
16 (Job 5:19; Ps 37:39-40) Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel
and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel,
"Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."
Daniel Saved From the Lions
17 (La 3:53) A stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den,
and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords
so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
18 (Est 6:1; Da 2:1) Then the king went to his palace
and passed the night fasting, and no instruments of music
were brought before him. And his sleep fled from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning
and went in haste to the den of lions.
20 (Da 3:17; 6:16; Ge 18:14) When he came to the den, he cried
with a voice full of sorrow to Daniel. And the king spoke
and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God,
has your God whom you serve continually been able
to deliver you from the lions?"
21 (Da 2:4; 6:6) Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!
22 (Da 3:28; 2Ti 4:17) My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions'
mouths so that they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me
before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."
23 (1Ch 5:20; Da 3:25) Then the king was exceeding glad for him
and commanded that they take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel
was taken up out of the den, and no manner of harm was found on him,
because he believed in his God.
24 (Dt 24:16; 2Ki 14:6) Then the king commanded, and they brought those men
who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-
them, their children, and their wives. And the lions overpowered them
and broke all their bones in pieces
before they came to the bottom of the den.
25 (Da 4:1; Ezr 1:1-2; 4:17) Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
"Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 (Da 4:34; 2:44; 3:29) "I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom
men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
"For He is the living God,
enduring forever;
His kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and His dominion shall be forever.
27 (Da 4:2-3) He delivers and rescues,
and He works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
who has delivered Daniel
from the power of the lions."
28 (Da 1:21; Isa 44:28-45:1) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius
and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6
[1] It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes,
which should be over the whole kingdom;
[2] And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the
princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
[3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because
an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the
whole realm.
[4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel
concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault;
forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in
him.
[5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,
except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
[6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and
said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
[7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the
counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal
statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of
any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into
the den of lions.
[8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not
changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
[9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
[10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his
house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he
kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he did aforetime.
[11] Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making
supplication before his God.
[12] Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's
decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a
petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall
be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is
true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
[13] Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of
the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the
decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
[14] Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with
himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till
the going down of the sun to deliver him.
[15] Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O
king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute
which the king establisheth may be changed.
[16] Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the
den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou
servest continually, he will deliver thee.
[17] And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the
king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that
the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
[18] Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither
were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
[19] Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto
the den of lions.
[20] And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto
Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the
living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee
from the lions?
[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[22] My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they
have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and
also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
[23] Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they
should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den,
and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
[24] And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused
Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and
their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their
bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
[25] Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that
dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
[26] I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and
fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for
ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion
shall be even unto the end.
[27] He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven
and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
[28] So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of
Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 9
The Prayer of Daniel
1 (Da 11:1) In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus of the lineage
of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans,
2 (2Ch 36:21; Jer 29:10) in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed
in the books the number of the years which were specified by the word
of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the accomplishment of the desolations
of Jerusalem, that is, seventy years.
3 I set my face toward the Lord God to seek by prayer and supplications
with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
4 (Dt 7:9; Ne 9:32) And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made my confession,
and said,
"Alas, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping His covenant
and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments.
5 (Ps 106:6; Isa 64:5-7) We have sinned and have committed iniquity
and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts
and from Your judgments.
6 (2Ch 36:15-16; Ezr 9:7) We have not listened to Your servants the prophets,
who spoke in Your name to our kings, our officials, and our fathers,
and to all the people of the land.
7 (Dt 4:27; Ps 44:15) "O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame
of face, as it is this day, to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem and to all Israel, who are near and who are far off,
through all the countries wherever You have driven them,
because of their trespass that they have trespassed against You.
8 O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, to our officials,
and to our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9 (Ps 130:4; Jer 14:7) To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness,
though we have rebelled against Him.
10 (2Ki 18:12; Da 9:6) We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God,
to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 (Isa 1:4-6; Jer 8:5-10) Indeed, all Israel has transgressed Your law,
even by departing that they might not obey Your voice.
"Therefore the curse has been poured upon us, and the oath that is written
in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.
12 (Eze 5:9; Isa 44:26) He has confirmed His words, which He had spoken
against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us great
calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done such
as has been done to Jerusalem.
13 (Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30) As it is written in the Law of Moses, great calamity
has come on us. Yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God so that
we might turn from our iniquities and give attention to Your truth.
14 (Ne 9:33; Jer 44:27) Therefore, the Lord has kept the disaster in store
and brought it upon us. For the Lord our God is righteous in all His works
which He does, but we have not obeyed His voice.
15 (Ne 9:10; Ex 6:1) "Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people
out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name,
even to this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 (Zec 8:3; Ps 31:1O) Lord, according to all Your righteousness,
I beseech You, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city
Jerusalem, Your holy mountain, because for our sins and for the iniquities
of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all who
are around us.
17 (Ps 80:19; La 5:18) "Now therefore, O God, hear the prayer of Your servant
and his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine
upon Your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 (Isa 37:17; Jer 25:29) O my God, incline Your ear and hear. Open Your eyes
and look at our desolations and the city which is called by Your name,
for we do not present our supplications before You for our righteousness,
but for Your great mercies.
19 (Jer 14:9; Da 9:18) O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act!
Do not defer, for Your own sake, O my God. For Your city and Your people
are called by Your name."
The Seventy Weeks
20 (Ps 145:18; Isa 58:9) While I was speaking and praying and confessing
my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication
before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God,
21 (Da 8:16; Lk 1:19) indeed, while I was speaking in prayer,
the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,
being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time
of the evening oblation.
22 (Da 8:16; 10:21) He informed me and talked with me, and said,
"Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.
23 (Da 10:11-12; 10:19) At the beginning of your supplications the command
went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved.
Therefore understand the matter and consider the vision:
24 (Eze 4:6; Nu 14:34) "Seventy weeks have been determined for your people
and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end
of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint
the Most Holy Place.
25 (Ezr 4:24; Isa 9:6) “Know therefore and understand that from the going
forth of the command to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem
until the Prince Messiah shall be seven weeks, and 62 weeks.
It shall be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of trouble.
26 (Isa 53:8; Na 1:8; Mt 24:2) After the 62 weeks Messiah shall be cut off
and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall
destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood.
And until the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 (Mt 24:15; Mk 13:14) And he shall make a firm covenant with many
for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice
and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one
who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out
on the desolator."
Daniel 9
[1] 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;
[2] 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.
[3] And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication,
with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
[4] And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O
Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them
that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
[5] We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and
have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
[6] Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in
thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people
of the land.
[7] O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of
faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through
all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass
that they have trespassed against thee.
[8] O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes,
and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
[9] To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have
rebelled against him;
[10] Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his
laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
[11] Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they
might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the
oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we
have sinned against him.
[12] And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against
our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the
whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
[13] As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us:
yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from
our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
[14] Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us:
for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we
obeyed not his voice.
[15] And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the
land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this
day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
[16] O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine
anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy
mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers,
Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
[17] Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his
supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is
desolate, for the Lord's sake.
[18] O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our
desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present
our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great
mercies.
[19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for
thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy
name.
[20] And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the
sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my
God for the holy mountain of my God;
[21] Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had
seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me
about the time of the evening oblation.
[22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now
come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
[23] At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I
am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the
matter, and consider the vision.
[24] Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to
finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make
reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince
shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be
built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not
for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the
city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto
the end of the war desolations are determined.
[27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the
midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,
and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even
until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 September 2023 titled Let go
Psalms 46
For the Music Director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.
A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a well-proven help in trouble.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) There is a river whose streams make glad the city
of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved;
God will help her in the early dawn.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The nations roared; the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice; the earth melted.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Come, see the works of the Lord,
who makes desolations in the earth.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts off the spear;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 46
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains
shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
[4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her,
and that right early.
[6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the
earth melted.
[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in
the earth.
[9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow,
and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
[11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
The owner of the bookstore where Keith worked had been away on vacation for
only two days, but Keith, his assistant, was already panicking. Operations
were smooth, but he was anxious that he wouldn't do a good job overseeing the
store. Frenetically, he micromanaged all he could.
"Stop it," his boss finally told him over a video call. "All you have to do is
follow the instructions I email you daily. Don't worry, Keith. The burden isn't on you; it's on me."
In a time of conflict with other nations, Israel received a similar word from
God: "Be still" (Psalm 46:10). "Stop striving," He said in essence, "just
follow what I say. I will fight for you." Israel was not being told to be
passive or complacent but to be actively still-to obey God faithfully while
yielding control of the situation and leaving the results of their efforts
to Him.
We're called to do the same. And we can do it because the God we trust is
sovereign over the world. If "he lifts his voice [and] the earth melts," and
if He can make "wars cease to the ends of the earth" (vv. 6, 9), then surely,
we can trust in the security of His refuge and strength (v. 1).
The burden of control over our life isn't on us-it's on God.
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
How can you let go of situations that are out of your control and surrender
them to God? What aspects of His character help you to surrender all to Him?
Almighty God, You know what's troubling me.
I don't know how to deal with it, but You do.
Help me surrender to Your leading.
For further study, read God Is Love: Reflection on the Character of God.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
31 but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him, he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be strong in faith .
Pray to the Lord: "Almighty God, You know what's troubling me.
I don't know how to deal with it, but You do.
Help me surrender to Your leading."
Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to lift you up.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will hear your cry for help.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will guide you through troubled times.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray that, as Saudi Arabia becomes more open politically, it will open
spiritually as well.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Daniel 6,9
Daniel 6
Daniel and the Lions' Den
1 (Est 1:1; Da 5:31) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom
one hundred and twenty officials,
so that they would be over the whole kingdom,
2 (Ezr 4:22; Da 2:48-49) and over them three presidents,
of whom Daniel was first, so that the officials might give accounts
to them and the king not suffer loss.
3 (Da 5:12; 5:14) Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents
and officials because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king
thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 (Ge 43:18; Jdg 14:4) Then the presidents and officials sought
to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom,
but they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful;
nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5 (Ac 24:13-16; 24:20-21) Then these men said,
"We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,
unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."
6 (Da 2:4; Ne 2:3) Then these presidents and officials assembled together
to the king, and said to him: "King Darius, live forever!
7 (Ps 59:3; Da 3:2) All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors,
and the officials, the counselors, and the captains have consulted
together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree,
that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days,
save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 (Est 1:19; Da 6:15) Now, O king, establish the decree
and sign the writing, that it not be changed,
according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered."
9 (Ps 118:9; 146:3) Therefore King Darius signed the writing, even the decree.
10 (Ps 55:17; 95:6) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went
into his house. And his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem,
he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he had been doing previously.
11 (Ps 37:32-33; Da 6:6) Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying
and making supplication before his God.
12 (Da 6:8; Est 1:19; Da 3:8-12) Then they came near and spoke
before the king concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree,
that every man who asks a petition of any god or man within thirty days,
save of you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?"
The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law
of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered."
13 (Da 2:25; 3:12) Then they answered and said before the king,
"That Daniel, who is of the sons of the captivity of Judah,
does not regard you, O king, or the decree that you have signed,
but makes his petition three times a day."
14 (Mk 6:26) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sorely displeased
with himself and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. And he labored
until sunset to deliver him.
15 (Est 8:8; Da 6:12) Then these men came by agreement to the king
and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes
and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may
be changed."
16 (Job 5:19; Ps 37:39-40) Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel
and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel,
"Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."
Daniel Saved From the Lions
17 (La 3:53) A stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den,
and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords
so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
18 (Est 6:1; Da 2:1) Then the king went to his palace
and passed the night fasting, and no instruments of music
were brought before him. And his sleep fled from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning
and went in haste to the den of lions.
20 (Da 3:17; 6:16; Ge 18:14) When he came to the den, he cried
with a voice full of sorrow to Daniel. And the king spoke
and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God,
has your God whom you serve continually been able
to deliver you from the lions?"
21 (Da 2:4; 6:6) Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!
22 (Da 3:28; 2Ti 4:17) My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions'
mouths so that they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me
before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."
23 (1Ch 5:20; Da 3:25) Then the king was exceeding glad for him
and commanded that they take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel
was taken up out of the den, and no manner of harm was found on him,
because he believed in his God.
24 (Dt 24:16; 2Ki 14:6) Then the king commanded, and they brought those men
who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-
them, their children, and their wives. And the lions overpowered them
and broke all their bones in pieces
before they came to the bottom of the den.
25 (Da 4:1; Ezr 1:1-2; 4:17) Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
"Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 (Da 4:34; 2:44; 3:29) "I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom
men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
"For He is the living God,
enduring forever;
His kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and His dominion shall be forever.
27 (Da 4:2-3) He delivers and rescues,
and He works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
who has delivered Daniel
from the power of the lions."
28 (Da 1:21; Isa 44:28-45:1) So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius
and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6
[1] It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes,
which should be over the whole kingdom;
[2] And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the
princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
[3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because
an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the
whole realm.
[4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel
concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault;
forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in
him.
[5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,
except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
[6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and
said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
[7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the
counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal
statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of
any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into
the den of lions.
[8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not
changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
[9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
[10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his
house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he
kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he did aforetime.
[11] Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making
supplication before his God.
[12] Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's
decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a
petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall
be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is
true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
[13] Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of
the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the
decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
[14] Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with
himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till
the going down of the sun to deliver him.
[15] Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O
king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute
which the king establisheth may be changed.
[16] Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the
den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou
servest continually, he will deliver thee.
[17] And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the
king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that
the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
[18] Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither
were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
[19] Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto
the den of lions.
[20] And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto
Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the
living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee
from the lions?
[21] Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
[22] My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they
have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and
also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
[23] Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they
should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den,
and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
[24] And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused
Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and
their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their
bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
[25] Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that
dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
[26] I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and
fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for
ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion
shall be even unto the end.
[27] He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven
and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
[28] So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of
Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 9
The Prayer of Daniel
1 (Da 11:1) In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus of the lineage
of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans,
2 (2Ch 36:21; Jer 29:10) in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed
in the books the number of the years which were specified by the word
of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the accomplishment of the desolations
of Jerusalem, that is, seventy years.
3 I set my face toward the Lord God to seek by prayer and supplications
with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
4 (Dt 7:9; Ne 9:32) And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made my confession,
and said,
"Alas, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping His covenant
and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments.
5 (Ps 106:6; Isa 64:5-7) We have sinned and have committed iniquity
and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts
and from Your judgments.
6 (2Ch 36:15-16; Ezr 9:7) We have not listened to Your servants the prophets,
who spoke in Your name to our kings, our officials, and our fathers,
and to all the people of the land.
7 (Dt 4:27; Ps 44:15) "O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame
of face, as it is this day, to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem and to all Israel, who are near and who are far off,
through all the countries wherever You have driven them,
because of their trespass that they have trespassed against You.
8 O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, to our officials,
and to our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
9 (Ps 130:4; Jer 14:7) To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness,
though we have rebelled against Him.
10 (2Ki 18:12; Da 9:6) We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God,
to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
11 (Isa 1:4-6; Jer 8:5-10) Indeed, all Israel has transgressed Your law,
even by departing that they might not obey Your voice.
"Therefore the curse has been poured upon us, and the oath that is written
in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.
12 (Eze 5:9; Isa 44:26) He has confirmed His words, which He had spoken
against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us great
calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done such
as has been done to Jerusalem.
13 (Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30) As it is written in the Law of Moses, great calamity
has come on us. Yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God so that
we might turn from our iniquities and give attention to Your truth.
14 (Ne 9:33; Jer 44:27) Therefore, the Lord has kept the disaster in store
and brought it upon us. For the Lord our God is righteous in all His works
which He does, but we have not obeyed His voice.
15 (Ne 9:10; Ex 6:1) "Now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people
out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name,
even to this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 (Zec 8:3; Ps 31:1O) Lord, according to all Your righteousness,
I beseech You, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city
Jerusalem, Your holy mountain, because for our sins and for the iniquities
of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all who
are around us.
17 (Ps 80:19; La 5:18) "Now therefore, O God, hear the prayer of Your servant
and his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine
upon Your sanctuary, which is desolate.
18 (Isa 37:17; Jer 25:29) O my God, incline Your ear and hear. Open Your eyes
and look at our desolations and the city which is called by Your name,
for we do not present our supplications before You for our righteousness,
but for Your great mercies.
19 (Jer 14:9; Da 9:18) O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act!
Do not defer, for Your own sake, O my God. For Your city and Your people
are called by Your name."
The Seventy Weeks
20 (Ps 145:18; Isa 58:9) While I was speaking and praying and confessing
my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication
before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God,
21 (Da 8:16; Lk 1:19) indeed, while I was speaking in prayer,
the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,
being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time
of the evening oblation.
22 (Da 8:16; 10:21) He informed me and talked with me, and said,
"Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.
23 (Da 10:11-12; 10:19) At the beginning of your supplications the command
went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved.
Therefore understand the matter and consider the vision:
24 (Eze 4:6; Nu 14:34) "Seventy weeks have been determined for your people
and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end
of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint
the Most Holy Place.
25 (Ezr 4:24; Isa 9:6) “Know therefore and understand that from the going
forth of the command to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem
until the Prince Messiah shall be seven weeks, and 62 weeks.
It shall be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of trouble.
26 (Isa 53:8; Na 1:8; Mt 24:2) After the 62 weeks Messiah shall be cut off
and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall
destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood.
And until the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 (Mt 24:15; Mk 13:14) And he shall make a firm covenant with many
for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice
and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one
who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out
on the desolator."
Daniel 9
[1] 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;
[2] 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.
[3] And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplication,
with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
[4] And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O
Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them
that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
[5] We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and
have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
[6] Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in
thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people
of the land.
[7] O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of
faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through
all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass
that they have trespassed against thee.
[8] O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes,
and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
[9] To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have
rebelled against him;
[10] Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his
laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
[11] Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they
might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the
oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we
have sinned against him.
[12] And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against
our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the
whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
[13] As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us:
yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from
our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
[14] Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us:
for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we
obeyed not his voice.
[15] And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the
land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this
day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
[16] O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine
anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy
mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers,
Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
[17] Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his
supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is
desolate, for the Lord's sake.
[18] O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our
desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present
our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great
mercies.
[19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for
thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy
name.
[20] And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the
sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my
God for the holy mountain of my God;
[21] Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had
seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me
about the time of the evening oblation.
[22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now
come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
[23] At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I
am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the
matter, and consider the vision.
[24] Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to
finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make
reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
[25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince
shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be
built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not
for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the
city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto
the end of the war desolations are determined.
[27] And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the
midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,
and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even
until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
2) Our Daily Bread for 14 September 2023 titled Let go
Psalms 46
For the Music Director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.
A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a well-proven help in trouble.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) There is a river whose streams make glad the city
of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved;
God will help her in the early dawn.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) The nations roared; the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice; the earth melted.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Come, see the works of the Lord,
who makes desolations in the earth.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts off the spear;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) The Lord of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 46
[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains
shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
[4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her,
and that right early.
[6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the
earth melted.
[7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in
the earth.
[9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow,
and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
[11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
The owner of the bookstore where Keith worked had been away on vacation for
only two days, but Keith, his assistant, was already panicking. Operations
were smooth, but he was anxious that he wouldn't do a good job overseeing the
store. Frenetically, he micromanaged all he could.
"Stop it," his boss finally told him over a video call. "All you have to do is
follow the instructions I email you daily. Don't worry, Keith. The burden isn't on you; it's on me."
In a time of conflict with other nations, Israel received a similar word from
God: "Be still" (Psalm 46:10). "Stop striving," He said in essence, "just
follow what I say. I will fight for you." Israel was not being told to be
passive or complacent but to be actively still-to obey God faithfully while
yielding control of the situation and leaving the results of their efforts
to Him.
We're called to do the same. And we can do it because the God we trust is
sovereign over the world. If "he lifts his voice [and] the earth melts," and
if He can make "wars cease to the ends of the earth" (vv. 6, 9), then surely,
we can trust in the security of His refuge and strength (v. 1).
The burden of control over our life isn't on us-it's on God.
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
How can you let go of situations that are out of your control and surrender
them to God? What aspects of His character help you to surrender all to Him?
Almighty God, You know what's troubling me.
I don't know how to deal with it, but You do.
Help me surrender to Your leading.
For further study, read God Is Love: Reflection on the Character of God.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
31 but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him, he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Exodus 3:7-8
7 (Ps 106:44; Ex 2:23-25)The Lord said,
"I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt
and have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters,
for I know their sorrows.
8 (Ge 50:24; 15:18-21; Ex 13:5) Therefore, I have come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians,
and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land,
to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of
the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites."
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters;
for I know their sorrows;
8 and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand
of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and
a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
PSALMS 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Nova Scotia
Total population 942700
Muslim population (est.) 14629
With 6 of the Nova Scotia's 10 universities located in Halifax, there is
a high concentration of Muslin international students in the area,
a harvest field in itself.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Halifax is the centre of Muslim activity for the Province of Nova Scotia
with at least 10 Islamic centres (mosques) and musallas
(prayer locations, especially for Friday prayer). And there are other mosques
in Chebucto, Kearney Lake, Dartmouth, Bedford and Truro.
Though the original community of Muslims was primarily composed of
newcomers from Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, continued immigration
has further diversified this community. Anf it is said thay Arabic
is the second most spoken language in Halifax.
while conservative estimates place the number of Muslims at almost 15000
in 2014, the Imama of a primary Halifax mosque estimates their population
somewhere between 25000 to 30000.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
14th Day of the Month
a) Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation ( Matt 6:10
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be strong in faith .
Pray to the Lord: "Almighty God, You know what's troubling me.
I don't know how to deal with it, but You do.
Help me surrender to Your leading."
Pray to the Lord and pray for the Lord to lift you up.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will hear your cry for help.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know He will guide you through troubled times.
Pray for Nova Scotia and her Muslim populations
- in and around Halifax and other cities
- on university campuses
- for new workers among Muslims
- for pastors and churches to be bold in vision, passion and outreach
to Muslims in their areas.
- for Muslims who are searching for a better way to find a Christian friend
to share Jesus with and disciple them
- for Muslim-background believers to be both wise and bold in sharing their
new faith in Jesus with other Muslims
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for God's kingdom to come
in your home, neighbourhood, city or community,
and in our nation
Pray for those who serve with
denominations and Christian organisations
in Canada - that God will bless their ministry
and anoint them for effective service.
Pray that, as Saudi Arabia becomes more open politically, it will open
spiritually as well.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.