Praying For God's Glory.

Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  – Daniel 9:17-18 ESV Daniel 9:4-19

Throughout his prayer, Daniel has used two different Hebrew names for God: Adonai and Elohim. The first refers to God's sovereignty as King. The second speaks of His strength. Daniel was appealing to the Almighty God, the very same God who had created the universe, called Abraham, rescued the Israelites from captivity and proven Himself powerful and in control of all things over and over again. Daniel knew he was taking his appeal to the only one who could do anything about it. There was no other place to go and nothing else to do. So he asked God to listen to his pleas for mercy. He asked Him to see their desolations. He begged Him to make His face shine upon the devastated temple in Jerusalem. Daniel was asking God to take a long hard look at their situation, from Babylon all the way to Jerusalem, and do something about it. Not because they deserved His rescue, but because of His mercy. Because of His own reputation.

Daniel subtly reminds God that the devastated city of Jerusalem belongs to Him. It is the only city in the world where a temple dedicated to Him exists, and it is in ruins. Daniel appeals to God's reputation. He shows concern for the name of God. This prayer is a whole lot less about Daniel and the people of israel than it is about the reputation of God. Daniel seems to know that God is going to act for the sake of His own name. He will protect the integrity of His reputation. He has given His Word to the people of Israel to be their God and to keep His covenant with them. Daniel knows that He will do what He has promised to do and boldly prays accordingly. Daniel also shows a great deal of concern for the city and Jerusalem and its temple. His was not a selfish, self-centered prayer, aimed at his own rescue and restoration. He was praying on behalf of all the people of Judah, including those back home as well as those in Babylon. His concern was for the nation of Israel, the chosen people of God, and the city that bore the distinction of containing the temple of God.

How often our prayers far more focused on our own needs than on God's reputation and glory. Daniel seemed far more concerned with the fame of God than with his own situation. The truth is, Daniel had a pretty good thing going in Babylon. He had a government job. He had weathered the storms of persecution that took place early on in his stay in Babylon. Daniel had access to the king and was in his good favors. He most likely lived well and enjoyed a certain degree of prominence and prestige that his fellow Jews would have envied. But Daniel was more concerned about God's glory. He couldn't stand the thought of God's temple lying in ruins, the city of Jerusalem sitting unoccupied and the remnant who remained living without a king. He wanted God to act. He longed to see God display His power and exert His sovereignty on the earth. It's interesting to note that Daniel did not tell God what to do. He didn't give Him a long list of expectations or demands. He simply asked Him to listen, see, and act. Sometimes we can be so bold and presumptuous as to not only tell God what is going on in our lives, but also how to solve it. We not only share our needs, we share our demands. And in doing so, our concern becomes less about God's glory than about our own good. We want what we want, not necessarily what He wants. There is nothing wrong with sharing our requests with God. The Scriptures command us to do so. But there is a huge difference between sharing our problems with God and telling Him exactly how and when we want them solved. God is not our personal genie. He does not exist for our glory. Our prayers should focus far more on God's reputation and glory than our own.

Daniel wanted to see God act. There is no doubt that Daniel would have loved to have seen Jerusalem restored, the people returned to the land, and the nation of Israel reborn as God's chosen people. He had read in the scroll containing the words of Jeremiah the prophet that this was exactly what God had promised would happen. So Daniel wanted to see that promise fulfilled. But his concern was far more focused on God than on himself. A restored Jerusalem and a rebuilt temple would bring glory to the name of God all around the world. The release of the people of Israel after 70 years of captivity in Babylon would take a miracle of God, and when it happened, God would get the glory. And for God to do all of this despite the fact that the people of Israel didn't deserve it, would speak volumes about His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. It would display His power and prove His sovereignty over all nations. It would convince the people once again that He is a covenant-keeping God. Praying for God's glory requires trusting in God's goodness. We must learn to trust Him to do what is best. He will always do what is right and will always act in such a way that His reputation remains unstained. We may not always get it and even like it, but God will always do what brings Him glory and results in our ultimate good, whether we see it or not. The key is learning to care first for His glory, and less about our own good.

The Necessity Of Neediness.

Psalm 70 – Day 1

"But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay." – Psalm 70:5 NLT

Who knew David could be a man of few words, but in this Psalm we see him cut to the chase and make his point to God in record time. He doesn't beat around the bush, but instead comes right out and tells God what he wants. "Please God, rescue me!" (Psalm 70:1 NLT). And he asks God to do it quickly. Evidently, David's need is pressing and he feels the pressure to demand immediate action by God. In a Psalm of so few words, it is interesting to note what David took the time to say. He expressed his need for God's salvation, his desire for justice for his enemies and, lastly, but probably most importantly, his awareness of his own condition. David says,"I am poor and needy." This short phrase speaks volumes about David's awareness of his condition. There is no hint of pride or self-sufficiency. You see no arrogance in this statement. Instead, it reveals a man who is painfully aware of his status and unashamed to admit it to God. He is the king of Israel, the commander of a great army, living in a beautiful palace surrounded by rich treasures. But inwardly, David knows he is needy, destitute, and unable to meet his real needs. He cannot save himself. He needs God. The key for any of us seeing God work in our lives is coming to the realization that we need Him. And before that can happen, we have to come to the same place David did – where we are ready to acknowledge our need. But that is harder than it sounds for most of us. We tend to want to solve our problems and meet our own needs. We want to rescue ourselves and then pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. It is hard to help someone who refuses to see their need for help. But David had reached the point where he was no longer going to let pride stand in his way. He knew that God was his helper and savior. He knew that there was nothing he could do to solve his problem. He needed God. So he called to Him. And David knew from experience that those who call on God are seldom, if ever, disappointed. "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'God is great!'" (Psalm 70:4 NLT).

Father, it seems the longer I live the more I recognize my true neediness. I guess it is that I am slowly learning the valuable lesson that I cannot save myself. I am not smart enough or powerful enough to rescue myself from the troubles of life. I need You. Thanks for the daily reminders of my own neediness. Help me to keep turning to You for help. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

It's Never So Bad That God Can't Do Good. (Based on Psalm 69)

Psalm 69 – Day 2

Save me, O God, For the waters of difficulty are flooding my soul. It's like I am sinking into a bottomless mud pit, I find myself in deep waters that flow over my head. I have been calling for help so long my throat hurts and I am exhausted, Even my eyes grow weary looking for your salvation to come. It seems like there are more people who hate me without cause Than there are hairs on my head. These enemies who would destroy me, even though I don't deserve it, They make me pay back a debt I never owed. O God, You know every foolish thing I've ever done, And none of my sins are hidden from You. Don't let all those who hope in and wait on You be disappointed because of me, Don't let those who seek You be ashamed because of me. For it's because of You that I suffer all this contempt, It is for Your sake that I am disgraced. I am like a stranger to those who I used to call friends, And a foreigner to my own family. My unbridled love for Your house has ended up devouring me, And all the scorn they have for You is now directed at me. Even when I cry and fast, all I get is insults. I mourn my circumstances, and they ridicule me. The well-respected gossip about me, While the drunks make up songs about me. But as for me, I pray to You and ask that Your answer come at a favorable time, Show me mercy, answer me by showing me Your salvation. Rescue me out of the mud and don't let me sink any further. Deliver me out of the deep water, from those who hate me without cause. Don't let the waters of adversity overcome me, Don't let me be swallowed up or sink down. Hear me, O God, because of Your love, Turn to me and rescue me out of Your great compassion. Don't turn Your face away from Your servant, I am in trouble; hear me and answer quickly. Draw near to my soul and deliver it, Redeem it, and rescue me from my enemies. You understand full well all that I am going through, The insults, reproach, shame and dishonor. You're very familiar with all my enemies, because they are Yours, too. I am brokenhearted because of the constant scorn, My soul is sick, and I long for someone to show me pity. I long for compassion, but there in none coming. Instead, they feed me a steady diet of venom, They give me vinegar to drink. May what they serve up to me become a trap for them. And may all they hoped to gain from this turn against them. Blind their eyes, let them shake with fear. Pour out Your divine judgment on them; Let them experience Your just anger. May their homes become desolate and their tents empty. For they take joy in harassing the one You have chosen to discipline, And they gossip about the one You have punished. Repay them to the same degree they have paid me, Don't let any of them enjoy Your salvation. Don't let their names be written in the Book of Life, blot them out. But I am poor and in pain, so let Your salvation deliver me. When You do, I will praise You in song and give You thanks, Which will please You more than any sacrifice I could make. Others who are weak and powerless will see this and be glad, And they will be encouraged to seek You as well. For You hear those in need and do not ignore those imprisoned by pain. Let heaven and earth praise You, the oceans and everything in them. For You will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, So that Your people can live there and call it their permanent possession. The descendants of Your servants will inherit it, And all those who love Your name will live there.

Smarter Than He Thinks.

Proverbs 30

Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. ­– Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT

Agur, the author of this Proverb, had a somewhat diminished view of himself. He begins his proverb with the self-deprecating words, "I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One" (Proverbs 30:2-3 NLT). It has been speculated that Ithiel and Ucal were his two sons and that they were claiming, as sons are prone to do, to be wiser than their dear old dad. In response, Agur agrees with them, painting himself as lacking in wisdom and limited in his knowledge of God. But he is not claiming to be ignorant or a fool. He is simply admitting the limited nature of his knowledge and understanding when compared to that of God. He has a humble view of himself and a high view of God. He asks Ithiel and Ucal, "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! (Proverbs 30:4 NLT). For Agur, everything there is to know about God is wrapped up in the name of God. The answer to all of his questions is Yahweh, but he acts as if Ithiel and Ucal don't know the obvious. In their pride and arrogance, they appear to have forgotten about the greatness of God.

Agur has a humility about him that is refreshing. He knows his place. He is painfully aware of his limitations. And he knows that his needs are few. All he really wants is to know his God and to live a life that is free from anything that might tempt him to forget God or dishonor Him. That is his prayer in verses 7-9 – the only prayer found in the Proverbs. Agur asks God for two things. He asks God to keep falsehood and lies far from him. I think this is a request for protection from the falsehood and lies of others, but also the elimination of these things in his own life. The second request is for a life devoid of wealth of poverty. Why? Because he knows that both bring with them certain temptations that he wants to avoid. When we find ourselves blessed with abundance we can be tempted to become self-sufficient (Deuteronomy 8:11-14; John 15:5). When we experience the opposite extreme of poverty, we can be tempted to doubt God's goodness and to lose trust in Him. When that happens, we end up taking matters into our own hands in order to solve our problem. Agur wanted neither wealth or poverty. His real request was that he might live a life focused on God, trusting and relying on Him alone. Agur was a wise man. The kind of man most sons don't appreciate until they are much older. We need more men and women like in our world today.

Father, give me the heart of Agur. Let me learn to be satisfied with You and You alone. Don't let me long for wealth or fear poverty. Give me a life of simplicity, where You are all I need. Keep me from living self-sufficiently or self-reliantly. Help me to recognize each day that You are my sole provider and protector. Amen