“They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening.” – Ezra 3:3

Although the King of Persia personally authorized Israel’s return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, it was still a dangerous project in a tough environment. Their neighbors consistently opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem, working to stop it by any means possible. When the newly returned exiles began working on reconstruction, they were afraid. When they began publicly worshiping God, they were afraid. But they were also faithful and obedient!

Faithful obedience to the Lord doesn’t mean you won’t or shouldn’t have fear. It simply requires that your love and fear of the Lord outweighs any earthly fears which would hold you back. It’s OK to have some fear about what God has called you to do, but do it anyway. It’s OK to have some fear about publicly worshiping Jesus when surrounded by enemies, but worship anyway.

Is fear hindering you from doing something you know God wants you to do? If so, pray earnestly for God to strengthen your faith and courage to simply #FollowJesus despite your fear.

“Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” – Daniel 12:10

This is a good summary of the varied responses to God’s gracious offer of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who hear and believe the Gospel are washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. They stand spotless in the eyes of the Lord. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit and empowered to live lives of increasing obedience to the person, example, and commandments of Jesus. As they pass through the Refiner’s fire hand-in-hand with their Savior, God works priceless transformation in their hearts.

Those who don’t believe the Gospel continue in their sins. They will continue to celebrate and operate according to their nature. They simply won’t understand what they’ve rejected. The Gospel will sound like nonsense to them. God’s grace will be incomprehensible.

This shouldn’t surprise any believer – it’s the promise of God. Christians shouldn’t be concerned if unbelievers laugh at what they believe. God repeatedly said it would be this way. Get comfortable with it. Settle it in your heart. Then keep praying for those who don’t believe and continue offering the words of life that sound foolish to so many. #FollowJesus

“I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” – Daniel 9:4-6

Daniel gives an excellent lesson here in how to intercede on behalf of your nation and people. Daniel was a singularly righteous man who risked everything to live by bold faith. While he wasn’t perfect, he was deeply faithful and obedient. Nonetheless, he could clearly see and confess the sins of his nation and its leaders. Though he was physically and socially far removed from it all, he prayed as though he were a part of it.

Daniel wasn’t afraid to honestly confess profound rebellious sin against God’s holiness, righteousness, teachings, and commands. He wasn’t concerned with making sure God knew he was the one good apple in a bad barrel. He wasn’t afraid to cry out for God’s mercy and forgiveness on behalf of a people who clearly didn’t deserve it. That’s how godly people intercede in prayer!

Do you intercede in this way? Our world faces terrible challenges. Our nation is profoundly troubled. What would happen if God’s people prayed like Daniel? Will you commit to pray like Daniel did – honestly, openly, and persistently? Acknowledging the sins of not just those you disagree with, but those whom you support? Not pointing out the sins of “those people” or “others” but confessing “our sins” as a nation, as a church, as a people? How would the world change if all the followers of Jesus began praying like Daniel? #FollowJesus

“This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end” – Daniel 5:26

God is sovereign! This is one of the most important ideas communicated throughout the book of Daniel. Even when God’s people are in exile. Even when unjust, unholy, proud, ignorant, and incompetent rulers appear to prosper. No matter how powerful a ruler may think he is… no matter how strong an empire may appear to be… God is sovereign.

God causes nations and rulers to rise and fall. He will throw down every unjust ruler and system at the right time. He has already shown us the final reckoning in Revelation, though He continues to work in sovereign power until that glorious day. God knows all, sees all, and has power over all. No power on earth can stand against His decree.

Do not despair. Do not doubt. Do not lose faith. Live with Christ-like integrity. Obey the Lord Jesus. Glorify God in everything you do. Praise and proclaim Jesus near and far. Trust that God’s will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, for He is sovereign! #FollowJesus

“And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.” – Daniel 2:16

The King of Babylon had given his “wise men” an impossible task. They not only had to interpret the king’s dream, they had to figure out what the dream was in the first place. Without being told. If they couldn’t, then every so-called wise man would be exposed as a fraud and executed. Daniel wasn’t particularly high up in the hierarchy of wise men, but when he learned about this, he immediately made an appointment with the king to answer the impossible.

When he made that appointment, Daniel had no idea what the dream was. None. But he had a plan and he had faith. His plan was to pray and ask his friends to pray. That’s it – that was his plan. Pray a lot. His faith was that God knows everything and answers the prayers of the faithful. Based on his faith and that plan, Daniel made an appointment that could cost him his life. That’s faith in God and confidence in the power of prayer!

Of course, God answered the prayers of Daniel and his faithful friends. He revealed the dream and its meaning for His glory and the blessing of His people. That’s who God is and that’s how He works. He hasn’t changed…

So, is prayer your most important plan for navigating the challenges of life? Is prayer your plan when faced with difficult or impossible situations? Prayer should always be plan A for God’s people. Unfortunately, it’s often more like plan Z. Whether that reflects too much faith in ourselves or too little faith in God, it’s a foolish approach to life in God’s world.

If prayer isn’t where you start before doing anything else, give it a promotion. Start with prayer. Trust the Lord to show you the way or make the way. He hasn’t changed… #FollowJesus