Today’s Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:1 through Daniel 8:27; Daniel 5:1-31
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. -Daniel 7:25 KJV (emphasis mine)
Recently I had the opportunity to pray with a friend. She was completely worn out from fighting a seven-year battle to rescue an adult child from the pit of hell we know as drug addiction. This woman of God was at her breaking point, ready to give up on her job, family, her God—
WORN OUT.
This weariness is spreading throughout the Christian world like a virus. I am on the prayer team at my church. Each week I pray with people with all kinds of needs but the one thing they all have in common is weariness. The cares of this world (Mark 4:19) are wearing them down.
Daniel 7:25, is the only verse in the Bible that uses the words, “worn out.” “Worn out” comes from the Hebrew word bala’, which means to wear away or to harass constantly. (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)
- I’m not an expert in Bible prophesy
- I’m not sure where we are in the timeline of the second coming of Christ
- I’m not saying we are living in the days of Daniel 7:25 (but we could be)
I am saying that the evil power that will drive this king that Daniel speaks about is Satan, the enemy of our soul…
Friends, this enemy—your enemy, and my enemy, is at work today and he is definitely working to wear us out. Daniel’s visionary experiences give us a glimpse into the cosmic struggle between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom God is establishing. We are living in the midst of this struggle.
In Luke 21:34, Jesus warns us about the allowing the “cares of this world or worries of this life to dull our hearts.”
This weariness not only affects our quality of life, it affects our witness. We are supposed to be different, but we’re just as tired as the next person. Why would a non-Christian want what we have when we’re just as worn out as they are?
What do we do?
- Recognize our enemy.
It’s not your family, friends, co-workers, or church family (
- )
- Rest our body. When you’re physically tired you are the most vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy (Psalm 127:2)
- Read God’s Word so that you can recognize the voice of the Lord (1 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 4:12)
- Renew our mind through prayer, meditation, and solitude (Romans 12:2, Psalm 46:10)
We are more powerful in Christ than we think we are. God says we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Heavenly Father, allow us to see the spiritual battle that is raging. Help us to recognize who’s talking to us. Give us boldness to stand against the schemes of the devil, so that we can live a life that will cause others to want to know You more.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:1-28; Daniel 9:1-27; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Chronicles 3:17-19a
