We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel, as we continue to dig deeper into verse 13 of Chapter 10. It reads,
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia."
“If all is well, why am I like this?” [Genesis 25:21-22] Paul must have asked this same question several times as he battled with the thorns (difficulties, hardships, persecutions, pains) in his flesh. [2 Corinthians 12:1-10]
In all the endowment of his life, he did not lose sight of his weaknesses, his humanity. Maybe that is why God allows the "buts," the "like these" in our lives. Maybe they are the landmarks, the "in-body experiences," to balance our "out-of-body experiences." They are the weights that keep us from being sucked into empty Outer Space.
The Lord's counsel to Paul might just be appropriate for us also. He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” [2 Corinthians 12:9] He is asking that we always depend on Him. He wants to be a part of the equation in all we do and think. He does not want to leave us at the mercy of our own vain selves.
Again, the story is His, not ours. Ours is a part of His. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) It appears each time we attempt to go ahead of God, He has a way of pulling the brakes, and helping us gain perspective.
What Elijah had thought in this wise? What if he had seen himself as he truly is, a pawn in God's chess game? Would he have thought himself the only one serving God? Would he have wanted to die, and leave the scene? Elijah's ministry and life ended because Elijah chose, not because he was done.
Yet, God took him home in a chariot of fire. What does that exhibit? Grace! Grace!! Grace!!! God is the main actor in the scene. Yet, He calls us to partner with Him, to take part in the shine. The challenge comes when we miss position, and suppose it is all about us. Nope. It is all about Him.
The Saint.
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