Are you sure God?
Key Scripture: “Three years after King Jehoiakim began to rule in Judah, Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem with his armies, and the Lord gave him victory over Jehoiakim…..”. Daniel 1:1-2 (Living Bible)
The very first words we read in the book of Daniel pose an interesting question to consider. Assuming we believe/accept that God is all powerful and can do what he wants – how/why did Nebuchadnezzar win this fight.
The name Jehoiakim means “God lifts up and establishes” – Israel’s king was put in power by God
Nebuchadnezzar was named after a pagan god.
Nebuchadnezzar came from Babylon which means “confusion”
Given all of that, surely God would destroy Nebuchadnezzar, and leave his sovereignly appointed King Jehoiakim in power – but that’s not what happened.
How many times have you been in a situation where God has apparently worked totally opposite to how you expected.
When Debbie and I were pastoring in Mornington (Vic) we developed a good relationship with our GP, Kate. Kate was an atheist, but knew we were pastors.
In June 2019, Kate told us she had terminal cancer and asked me to do her funeral. Two weeks later I had the privilege of leading Kate in her salvation prayer. Over the next 12 months we met regularly as Kate asked lots of God questions and we prayed for strength and healing.
I asked Kate what she would do if God healed her – would she turn away from God and go back to her atheist ways (we had a strong enough friendship to ask that blunt question). Kate said she would definitely NOT turn her back on God and would spend her life telling people how God had healed her.
To me, there was only one outcome possible. God would heal Kate. After all, how could God lose such a great opportunity for Kate to be a witness to his healing and saving grace.
In early April 2021 Kate went home to be with God.
My prayers now consisted of “Why God”, “But God….”, “Well that was a waste God”, “Just imagine what Kate could have achieved if you healed her”.
Shortly after, I conducted Kate’s funeral. Of the approx. 400 people, only 5 were Christians – one being Kate.
I had the opportunity to present the Gospel message to all those at the funeral.
Kate had been a witness after all. It seems that God knew exactly what he was doing.
Ian Wood
Reflection: I wonder what Daniel’s initial prayers were like when they were defeated and taken into captivity.
What are your prayers like when God doesn’t do as you expect (or want, even demand)
I encourage you to keep trusting God. Even when things don’t turn out the way you would prefer, believe that God is still God, and that He has a purpose for all that has happened.
TOGETHER PRAYER: Our Creative Team