God is our Rescuer

              God Is Our Rescuer

“Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.” Daniel 6: 21

For the second time in Daniel God shows up in a powerful way that others witness. Even as the enemy continued to threaten Daniel the Bible says he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted God. “He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:27

I was walking today. I have shared before walking will always be one of those things having MS that will challenge me in so many ways. The goal this time is to be able to walk around campus with a bunch of middle schoolers in the middle of summer and remain steady.  One of the things I have repeatedly experienced so far is walking and MS in the heat don’t mix well. It will get harder the longer the distance and the heat can intensify all reactions that occur. Kind of like my brain and body will  forget how to cooperate. So it is once again time to build endurance and teach my brain and body to cooperate. Here is what I have recognized about the enemy. Anytime we are growing closer to the Lord he will try and distance us from that. And walking is time I spend leaning into the Lord. God gets ALL the glory and he doesn’t like that. I want to go to this camp because of an opportunity to be with middle schoolers. This is the hardest way I have served the Lord but I know because of that He is growing me to trust Him more. Middle schoolhoolers have a whole different language and a way of seeing things. I want to go so I can encourage, pray, and be a part of their lives. I know what that feels like to be that kid who thinks that no one understands and I want to help them to know the One True God and what that means to live for Jesus. 

What do you think the enemy thinks about all that? Will it be an easy road? NO way. He is going to attempt to distract me, wear me down, discourage me, and tell me lies. I sat in training for camp this last week and had the opportunity to receive prayer so, I took it. Anytime we are doing something that isn’t about us we will begin to hear the lies. Mine were “People will think you are so weak” and “What happens when you can’t do things and have to sit down?” No doubt I was hearing all these lies as I was walking when it started to get challenging. I felt the Lord say, “Where do you need me to shut the lions’ mouth?” And I just started telling Him all of it.  I know that the Lord isn’t asking me to do all that He is asking me to show up and be Present. But sometimes that doesn’t stop the lies.

Daniel distinguished himself because he had an extraordinary spirit. He refused to worship anyone other than the One True God.  The Bible says Daniel,  “went into his house and opened the windows in the upstairs room and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Before the outcome. He kept on going. I wonder what he felt as the ordinance had been signed to be killed? Evil thought it had won but Daniel kept praying and giving thanks.

Where do you need the Lord to shut the lions mouth? Get on your knees and tell Him and give thanks. 

Father,

There is something that happens when we kneel down before you. It is a heart posture that becomes a reminder to lower ourselves above your Authority. When we bow we allow you to take up what is rightfully yours. You rescue and deliver. You redeem and restore. You rescue us from the power of the lions. Forgive our waywardness restore our hope to you alone Jesus. 

Amen