1 QUOTE

“The essential ingredient of leadership is the powerful presence of God in the life and ministry of a Christian leader.”

– Dr. J. Robert Clinton

1 NOTE

During this season of Lent, we become more sensitive and aware of the supernatural realities that are unseen but surround us. We live in a world, earth, that inside of another world, the heavenly realm. When we experience the Kingdom of God breaking into our lives and ministry, we rejoice and worship God. When we experience the dark army of Satan, demons and the dark army we are discouraged and often afraid. Power ministry is God’s use of supernatural power to authentic himself and validate his purposes in a situation. Of the four Old Testament leaders who operate in power ministry, Daniel is exemplary.

The theme of the book of Daniel is power. Daniel’s favorite name for God is ‘The Most High.’ The young man who was trafficked top Babylon for his entire adult life loved God’s sovereign power. God gives Daniel the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2). We learn that is God who actually rules history. God delivers Daniel’s homeboys Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). We learn that God has power to deliver at death’s door. God gives Daniel revelation to another dream (Daniel 4). We learn God overturns human leaders whenever He pleases. God judges Belshazzar with the handwriting on the wall (Daniel 5). This is one of the craziest moments in the Bible as God brings immediate judgment on the hard-hearted. God delivers Daniel from being thrown into the lion’s pit (Daniel 6). We learn that God delivers his people even at advanced ages. Every day we see the natural reality that surrounds us, but often we do not perceive how God is working in the spiritual realm. 

Chapter 9 begins with Daniel praying to God, arguably the greatest prayer in the Old Testament. While confessing his sin, Daniel is visited by the angel Gabriel. This is the same angel who visits Zechariah and Mary (Luke 1:19; 26). He was sent by God to deliver a message of love and encouragement to Daniel, but was delayed. Gabriel was busy fighting the prince of Persia for 21 days (Daniel 10:13). This rare peek behind the curtain teaches us that there are regional and national dark angels who are at war with God’s angels. Battles in the unseen cosmic realm brings interference and delay in our natural world. The prince of Persia is the root word of Paul’s teachings on our battle with principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12). Spiritual warfare is an extension of our inner-life and personal prayer. Daniel’s spiritual warfare emerged from his prayer, fasting and confession of sin.

1 QUESTION

As God leads us in our regular devotions, may we pray with confidence, and patience for the 21 day delays. In what area of your life and ministry do you need to see the power of Daniel’s God?

Until Next Tuesday,

John