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.
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27 Help us, Lord, to learn from the failure of King Uzziah. He began well – “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord … He set himself to seek God” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5). He lost his way – “When he was strong, he grew proud, and he was false to the Lord his God” ( 2 Chronicles 26:16). Help us, Lord, to become better people – not bitter people!
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