Day 7 – Perseverance

If there is a deal on food that is not for this Daniel fast, I believe I have received it in the last 7 days.  I have even received an inordinate amount of “free” offers from food and beverage places over the last days.  From free sodas at a gas station just for showing a text message to a free appetizer simply for showing up with an email, the temptation to eat the foods of our kingdom is definitely imminent.  

So I found myself this day thinking about why I am really doing this fast.  Is it because my pastor thinks it will be a good idea?  As much as I respect him, that’s not it.  Is it because my family is doing it?  That’s not it either because not everyone in my household felt led to hear from God in this way.   So I decided it was time to go back to the source…again.  In the tenth chapter of Daniel I found this:

2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning,his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it,but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone,gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 

9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come. ”

15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

As I read this passage, I remembered, I am doing this because I want to hear from God: not on my terms, but on His terms.  As I think of people like Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah I realize His messages are always better on His terms.  I want to experience the presence of God so powerfully that while the people around me may not be able to see it, they can feel that something is different.  

So I am reminded today of the line from one of my daughter’s favorite movies, Finding Nemo: “Just keeping swimming…”  When the ocean looks too big to cross, we are called to “just keep swimming.”  When the temptations arise, we are called to “just keep swimming.”  When things seem like more than we can handle…”just keep swimming.”

Lord, when I am distracted from what You have called me to do, please help me remember to “just keep swimming.”  Forgive me for the moments that I focus on my weakness instead of Your strength.  Thank you for your grace and power that can stand through any situation.  Today, Father, I choose to claim the truth of your grace… I choose to embrace the hope of what You will do in me: 

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

For our children and youth workers, Lord today I pray that You would remind him/her to “just keep swimming” with the hope that You are up to more than they can see right now.  I pray You would send someone along their path(s) today who would remind them that You are preparing them for an amazing encounter, if they can just hold on.  May they sense the hope of your presence if they are in a place where they cannot experience it right now.  May they know they are not alone, and while they may not know where it is coming from, please somehow let them know they have a little Church family in Jacksonville who is already bathing them in prayer. 

And Lord, I pray today that you would encourage and lift up my brothers and sisters who are also on this fast.  Remind them of Your leading, and encourage their hearts today to “just keep swimming.” 

I love you, Jesus.  Thank you for teaching me to swim with You…