Daniel
11 is concerned with conflict. This is part of our spiritual experience
as well as Israel's military experience. There is an enemy who opposes
the Lord and His people. Nevertheless, "the people who know their God
will firmly resist him" (Daniel 11:32). How are we able to resist the
enemy? We are strengthened by love, the love of God. We learn to love
God as we learn to appreciate His love for us: "We love because He first
loved us" (1 John 4:19). This love, His love, gives us the strength to
firmly resist the enemy. God's love is a faithful love - "Your love, O
Lord, endures for ever" (Psalm 138:8). His love and His faithfulness
belong together - "Your love and Your faithfulness" (Psalm 138:2). How
do we know of the faithful love of God? - Through His Name and His Word:
"You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word" (Psalm
138:2). As the Name of the Lord and the Word of the Lord become precious
to us, so the love of the Lord becomes real to us, the strength of the
Lord is given to us and the enemy is firmly resisted.
What God did for His people, Israel, was very great. There is a striking contrast between their slavery in Egypt and their abundance in the promised land. God had multiplied His blessing upon them, just as Jesus did when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). If the blessing is to be maintained and increased, we must honour the Lord. We must cry to Him for blessing: "Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth." We must call upon Him with faith: "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:2,4).
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