God responds to prayer

In Chapter 9, Daniel records a prayer that he made to God regarding the prophecy from Jeremiah about the length of the exile of the Jews. After reading the prophetic word he realises that, in his understanding, this time frame is almost complete, and so he responds in prayer and fasting. Through his prayer Daniel repents for the nation, and declares God’s faithfulness. He acknowledges that man does not keep his word, but God does. 

As Daniel is praying, God responds by sending an angel named Gabriel to him to explain and comfort him. This is the greeting Gabriel gives;

“O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. *23*At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision. 

Daniel 9:22–23.

Gabriel came, on purpose to meet Daniel. He did not delay, but came straight away as God sent him. God responds to our prayers. Daniel's prayer was; heartfelt, confused and yearning for God's will to be done. Daniel was praying beyond himself, praying into scripture and seeking God for the fulfilment of His words. So, for clarification for Daniel, God sends an angel, Gabriel. God listened and responded to Daniel’s ‘pleas’. He heard Daniel, and wanted to invite Daniel into a greater understanding of the situation and of God's plans, so he sent Gabriel. This shows me that God does not want us to be blind about what is happening in our lives, communities, nations, or even in Scripture. God desires us to seek Him about it as Daniel did, and as we do that He will give insight and understanding. 

We all have times when we don't know or understand what is going on. Times when the struggle is real, when we cannot see what God is doing (is He doing anything?), the thing is though, at those times, what is your response? Do you respond like Daniel does? When you are confused, upset and annoyed by what is happening, do you approach God about it? Intentionally seeking His purpose and will through prayer and fasting? Or do you have a good grumble along with others or retreat into internal despair? 

Daniel models the best response - he recognises the weakness and sin of man, and the dependable, righteous, just character of God, and he asks God about what He is doing. Daniel reminds Him of His word, and waits for an answer. Do you do that? Are you brave enough to approach God like that? Tell Him what is wrong, what you are struggling with, admit what you or others have done wrong, recognise who God is and ask Him what is happening and how His words are being fulfilled? 

It is ok to talk to God in this manner - we see different characters in the Bible praying in a similar way - David in the Psalms, Moses leading Israel - just 2 examples from the top of my head. These people ‘get real’ with God. They let Him know how they are REALLY feeling, remind Him of His words and ask what He is doing about it. God doesn’t mind if we speak to Him like that. I wonder if, in fact, He likes it? The raw honesty, heartache, frustration and confusion pouring out onto His ears as He listens as our good father. This kind of outpouring to God builds relationship with Him. It is honest, hopeful and reliant on God. Reminding ourselves of who God really is as we acknowledge the difficulties of life. Ever been so consumed and concerned about a situation that you have approached God in prayer and fasting like Daniel? Bringing your heartfelt emotions, your acknowledgement of sin, your understanding and your questions before God -ever done that?

When you do approach God like this, you should know that not only does God listen, but He also responds. He responds to repentance and the search for understanding and revelation. It may not be in the way you expect, or the answer you desire, but God replies. 

When you pray, do you also listen or watch out for God's response? Do you wait for God to speak to you and give you insight? 

Old and New Covenant

Chapter 8 of Hebrews sums up some of what has been discussed about the two covenants God made with His people -  the first  (Old) covenant, and the New covenant made through Jesus.

This chapter reiterates that the Old covenant is basically worn out. From it’s inception it was becoming obsolete.
The way of the Old covenant was never intended to last forever. For a start there had been many High Priests who served for a time and then expired. Therefore the High Priest’s office is in itself a temporary thing. Temporary people can only serve a temporary system. The service of the High Priest  is finite, just like the Old Covenant. The Old covenant also required constant renewal, just like the renewal of the High Priest -when one died another would take his place - so too the offerings needed to be re-given. They were continually required, because people continually sin. Yet, before the High Priest could bring an offering to God, he first had to cleanse and atone for his own sin before he could give the offerings for the sins of the people.
These aspects clearly show that the Old covenant system was not perfect. The priests lived, served and died showing their temporal nature and the offerings that were given had to be provided again and again and again. There was no long-term solution to the problem of sin in the Old covenant, Even those working within the priestly system had faults as they had their own sin to atone for - they, although elected to godly duties, they in themselves were not innocent or pure, therefore their offerings could not be either. Even the best intentioned offerings were faulty because all of humanity have sinned. Sinful people cannot offer pure sacrifices no matter how hard they try. Therefore the estrangement between God and man could not be resolved through any of our own means. There could be no pure, eternal solution provided by sinful, temporal man.

A New way was needed and promised, God says through Jeremiah, ‘I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel’. God knew the need for a greater resolution, and he had another way planned, a way where sinful man and holy God can be united.
So a different way, a New covenant was required. One which established a final, eternal solution to deal with the destruction of sin.
A perfectly pure, blameless,  everlasting willing sacrifice was needed.

That’s where Jesus comes in.

He alone could do it and has done it.
He lived a perfect, blameless, pure and holy life, and died a perfect, willing, holy, blameless death.
He went through the most horrendous experience of becoming the ultimate pure, spotless sacrifice for all sin.
As Jesus was sinless, his sin offering on our behalf brought a complete end to sin - a holy sacrifice given to eradicate all impurity. His one offering is enough. Enough for all eternity. Jesus has brought a New covenant that is living, complete and eternal.

Jesus, our High Priest still lives and is continually mediating on our behalf before God. Jesus rule is not wearing out and will never become obsolete because he lives for all eternity, so there will be no end to his office. Jesus will not vanish or wear out. The New covenant he has created will not die out. The New way Jesus has brought is forever. Jesus has made away for you to be with him and have relationship with God no matter what you do. No sin can separate you from God now, no matter how much or how often you mess up. Jesus has sorted it. He is eternally standing before the Father petitioning on your behalf.

Do you believe and trust in this Jesus? Do you know that you are given a sin-free life? Are you living it?

Jesus has given a way for you to have a new life - you don't have to continually make amends - Jesus has done it. Are you living with the security of that? Are you taking into your own life the reality of the New covenant and your freedom from sin, and your freedom in relationship with God? What has this New covenant given you that you didn't have before?

seek the welfare of the city

The last couple of weeks I have impacted by a passage in Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 4-14.

To begin with the part that jumped out at me was v 7, 'seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on it's behalf, for in it's welfare, you will find you welfare'. I was convicted because, I realised that I hardly ever think to pray that way. I may pray for particular people, groups, initiatives, areas at times, but do I actually pray for the welfare of the town where I live? do you?
So, I began to read and re-read this verse and the surrounding verses. This section of scripture is a prophesy spoken by the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites as they were swooped off to Babylon having been captured and exiled there. What a challenge for them! They are told to pray for the places that they have been thrown into for it to prosper, to know peace, to increase and become great. Not many of us can imagine the reality of being exiled into a culture and community you know nothing about. Most of us have in some way had a choice about where we live. Yet, even if you haven't, you are still to pray for the best for the place where you live.

Not only are the Israelites instructed to pray for where they live because it will be of benefit to them in the long run, but they are also instructed in the earlier verses to; build, settle, plant, eat, give, get married, increase and invest in the younger generations. Even if you're not passionate for the place where you live, are you investing in it? are you putting down your roots because God has put you there? Are you making something of the life you have, are you building and planting? We all have something to offer the community we live in, are you settling in and making a home where you are? God has carried you to this place, and God invites you into His mission there, and part of it is about getting stuck in; working, playing, making a home and just living life.

After God instructs the Israelites to do this, then He commands them to pray. Different interpretations of v7 tell us that we are to pray for our town's; wellbeing, good, prosperity, peace and welfare. God promises that as we do that, it will be good for us. it will be good for us practically and spiritually because as we pray for what God wants, we connect with Him, and we connect more with where we live. I believe as we pray, we will see breakthrough, we will see change, and God will show us how we can be a part of the good for the communities we are in.

Later on in this passage, the Lord God Almighty makes some amazing promises, He says that; He will come, He will cause you to prosper and not be harmed, He will give you hope and a future. Also that when you seek Him, He will listen and He will be found. Do you want that for yourself? Do you want that for where you live? If so, get praying!

God is ready to work where you live - are you?

God wants to partner with you in the place He has carried you. He has expectations of what you should do there, and that is basically to get on with life, but also to pray for where you live to do well. You can be the answer to the town's troubles, and it all starts with prayer.

Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NIV);

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: *5*“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. *6*Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. *7*Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” *8*Yes, this is what the LordAlmighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. *9*They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”