We had a hurricane scare, and thankfully the eye of the storm did not hit us directly. But in the aftermath, we spent a few days without power anyway. I remember those dark days so vividly because I was struck by how dazzling the stars appeared in the sky each evening.

Dark days provide a landscape for our lives to shine brightly for God’s glory. The Sun…

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The determination was final. I read the email announcing the rejection of our petition, and I grieved. The tears continued to fall for many weeks, and I agonized because I knew I could not change the outcome. But, then one day I was reading my Bible, and I gained some perspective. I recognized that my God still reigned in heaven, and He does ALL that He…

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My most refining experience as a classroom teacher came during a season where I was falsely accused of acting in an unprofessional manner by a deceitful student. The shrewd rebel knew he was likely to get expelled for his misbehavior, so he concocted a convoluted fictional story about how I had maligned him. Instead of receiving support from my supervis…

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I watched the television screen as the Election Day results were reported, and then I turned to prayer. A few minutes later, the family text message thread on my phone came alive as people I loved expressed their anxiety over what had transpired. I will confess that although my preferred candidate had not won the day, panic had not overwhelmed my soul. …

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Yesterday, I received an answer to a petition. Many would consider the response to be unfavorable since a door was closed, and a season came to an abrupt end. I, however, have total peace about this conclusion because I determined in advance to pray for God’s favor and protection as I awaited the outcome. As a result, I can only view the final decision as providential. The Lord hath spoken, and I know my future stands secure in His hands.

Friend, when adversity comes, and life spirals out of our control, we can feel overwhelmed and helpless. Circumstances change, and we can do nothing to stop the hard stuff. Some things just cannot be fixed by exerting extra effort, shrewd intellect, and gritty willpower. No amount of striving will turn things around and make us feel more settled. Trying to solve our problems in our own strength will only leave us exhausted.

Daniel’s example shows us how surrender leads to triumph. Instead of giving way to discouragement, he resolved to turn to intercession on a daily basis with decided determination. Daniel knew only God could intervene on behalf of His beloved children and bring a breakthrough.

A wise woman knows that the strongholds of sin will only be defeated in the lives of those she loves as she wages war in prayer. (Proverbs 21:22) Never forget that you are a soldier in God’s spiritual army, and a battle between the forces of good and evil rages on in the heavenly realm. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

Remember this: You can set your mind to gain understanding and humbly pray for God to help you. Instead of seeking solutions, you can focus on the wisdom God wants to reveal to you as you trust He remains in control and will unfold a redemptive purpose for your pain.

Your prayer will be heard in heaven, friend. Salvation certainly comes as we cry out to the Almighty. The God of Angel Armies will always take action on your behalf.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT:

“. . . say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’ ” (Isaiah 35:4, NIV)

Week Four of Daniel study starts on Monday.

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I looked down at my phone and noted several text messages had silently landed. Apparently, someone had tried to call me, but I have my device set to go directly to voice mail unless a call enters from my “treasured” people. The phone only rings if my mom or my husband try to reach me.

Daniel’s humble spirit and sacrificial devotion to God did not go unno…

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I had messed up big time, and I was miserable about the pain I had caused someone I deeply loved. I sat in a dark room festering in self-condemnation and consumed by regret. I knew what I needed to do, so I picked up the phone and called this precious person to confess my wrongdoing.

Twenty minutes later, I felt lighter and was able to go about the rest …

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Mom was watching a Hallmark Mystery movie, and I was sitting in the living room typing away on my laptop with one eye on the keyboard and another on the television screen. I witnessed as an amateur sleuth entered a desolate home in the middle of the night in hopes of finding clues to catch a murderer. Her sidekick sat in a car outside watching her every…

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In 1787, armed opponents to the government rallied together to try to overthrow the American government. Led by former military veteran, Daniel Shay, this group of primarily farmers were desperately in debt and in danger of losing their livelihood and land because they had not yet received their military salary and could not pay their back taxes. In res…

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In the movies, “great and powerful” proved to be sadly disappointing. I still remember when the curtain was pulled back, and the Great Wizard of Oz was revealed to be an ordinary man who held no true power to help the girl in distress who desperately wanted to return home. Any hope of salvation would not rest in the care of that charlatan.

Where we turn today for help with our troubles determines our tomorrow. Focusing on the terrifying beasts described in Daniel can fill our hearts with fear as we consider what alarming tribulation the future may hold. Then, we can swallow discouragement down and let it disrupt our peace. Instead of opening our Bible, we plop down on the the living room couch and watch the nightly news on our television screen, and we end up sleepless and struggling with overwhelming despair. The dark evil that pervades this sin-saturated world clouds our perspective.

Friend, this world is not your home. You belong to the Most High God, and Heaven is your inheritance. If you pull back the veil, the God who rules the Heavenlies remains seated in total authority over the unfolding events of history. El Elyon continues to reign in absolute in power and authority. No detail of your tomorrow exists outside of His providential control.

Note that Daniel foresees a moment in history: “the time came” when the Ancient of Days intervened. Yes, tribulation will come, but only for a temporary season. Our present sufferings cannot compare to the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18) Never forget that your Savior has gone ahead to prepare a place for you, and you will spend eternity worshipping the Most High in His Heavenly Kingdom as a co-heir with Christ. Your tomorrow will be revealed as a satisfying reality that proves immeasurably more than you can ask, think, or imagine.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT:

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21, NIV)

Week Two of Daniel study starts on Monday.

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I sat in my beach chair watching as two young girls were building a large kingdom in the sand. They worked in tandem moving buckets of sand and placing them just right to erect a glorious structure. Once they were finished, the two architects stood back and smiled at their masterpiece.

But the grandeur did not last. You see, their foundation was establis…

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In 2018, a video went viral of a documented spectacle at a safari park in Crimea. A lion approached the tourist car, climbed in the vehicle, and cuddled up to a tourist. The roaring beast actually licked the woman, but thankfully left her unscathed. Three weeks earlier, a worker at the same animal sanctuary had been mauled by a lion in an alarming incid…

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The Honorable Billings Learned Hand served as a federal judge from 1909 to 1961 and achieved somewhat of folk hero status. Often called the “judges judge,” he was known for his judicial restraint in interpreting the constitution, and his published works are often viewed as classics in “legal literature” that helped establish clear standards in the court…

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I was attending a mid-week service at church when my pastor invited four seasoned saints to join him on the platform. Five stools were placed on the stage, but only one of them was occupied by a woman. Each time the microphone was passed to her, my ears perked up. Every word she shared was laced with hard-earned wisdom. I found myself leaning in. I want…

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I knew immediately that I was in good hands. My husband had asked me to meet a serviceman who would be helping us deal with a pesky termite issue in our home. “Seymour told me he’s worked for the company for forty years,” Bruce had explained. The dedicated employee standing on my front porch was all business, and his professionalism set him apart from many other vendors I have had to supervise. Today would be a different experience because Seymour not only talked the talk, he also walked the walk and followed through to complete his work with diligence.

How we choose to walk day by day determines our ultimate destiny. Two polar opposite ways of life are portrayed here in the pages of Daniel through the walks of two men. A humble man who honored God and refused to compromise his convictions communicates with a confidence that rests in the faithfulness of His God. On the other hand, a proud ruler has lived a pleasure-seeking life and disregarded the One True God, and his self-consumed soul does not rest in security.

Thankfully, the Lord continues to fight for our redemption even when we foolishly reject Him. Our Heavenly Father remains steadfast in love and rich in mercy. He wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. (I Timothy. 2:4) Therefore, we can trust the sovereign God who rules over the universe will continue to pursue our prodigals and loved ones, and He always provides an opportunity for everyone to repent. Nebuchadnezzar eventually turned from his way and acknowledged the Almighty’s authority and justice, and he was fully restored.

Every day we interact with people who do not have peace with God, and we have the privilege of pointing them to the Truth. May we live to worship the Lord with our lives. Walk your talk and make an eternal difference in this dark world.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT:

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ’God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ ” (James 4:6, NIV)

Week Two of Daniel study starts on Monday.

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Imagine you are seated on a plane headed to Hawaii. You are comfortably settled in the middle of the aircraft, and as you glance to your right, the passenger in the seat adjacent to the window smiles as he rolls up the shade to reveal a sunny day that holds promise. However, then you turn your gaze toward the opposite left side just in time to witness a…

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In my office, I have a fireproof box with a lock on it that keeps secure all my valuable documents. I will confess that sometimes I wish I could similarly safeguard my family and my anxious heart from devastation. Thinking about the possibility of such loss can consume me with fear.

We cannot create an environment where our lives remain impenetrable to t…

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