In the previous post we recorded some thoughts from my father, shared during WWII and the Korean conflict. I shared those same thoughts with my church family in September of 2002, the Sunday before the one-year anniversary of 911, the hijacking of four commercial airliners, destruction of the Twin Towers in NYC, damaging of the Pentagon in Washington DC, and the loss of thousands of lives in those airplanes and buildings. I want to share my thoughts, shared at the outset of a sermon that day, on the same prayer of Daniel in Dan. 9.
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1)
The present crisis:
a)
We are about to go to war against Iraq - maybe.
b)
Hardly a day goes by that we don't hear of some plot or
the arrest of some terrorists, reminding us that terrible things may still be
possible.
c)
This week we will see pictures again of 911. We'll be reminded of tragedy as well as
heroism.
d)
We've been at war for nearly a year now; and while a
regime change has taken place in Afghanistan, that regime is a bit wobbly.
e)
Further the danger and fear of terrorism has not
ceased. We're not sure that the major perpetrators have been brought to
justice. And it is evident that if they
were, many more are there to take their places.
2)
What can be done so we can walk the streets safely w/o
fear of nuclear or biological attacks?
a)
Some think a diplomatic answer is best.
b)
Others an isolationist answer.
c)
Most think it military. But be honest, what does the removal of one
dictator mean, for sure? Can you really
tell? No.
3)
We too believe...
a)
The problem is spiritual. But …
i)
To simply say the problem is Muslims is to fail to
recognize their need of the gospel.
ii)
To simply say the problem is Israel is to fail to
recognize their need of the gospel & the true Christ.
iii)
To blame others is to fail to recognize our own sins,
"a weakening of the consciousness of sin."
b)
The answer is found in prayer by God's people.
i)
Starting in Colossians (I had been teaching from Paul’s
letter at the time): prayer is an essential element for those who are alive in
Christ. In Col. 4 Paul seeks prayer, and
commends Epaphroditus who wrestles for them in prayer.
ii)
Further, here are some illustrations from several men
of Israel alive during the times of the Gentiles.
(1)
Daniel:
(a) Prayed
daily and was honored by God.
(b)
Prayed for Israel restoration and was answered.
(2)
Nehemiah:
(a) Prayed
about Jerusalem's poor condition.
(b)
Prayed for an opening before the king.
(c) Prayed
for unity in Israel to rebuild the walls.
(d)
Prayed for protection from Israel's enemies.
(e) ALL
PRAYERS ANSWERED.
(3)
Ezra:
(a) Prayed for safety
in travel (would not ask for an armed escort bec. he had witnessed of God's
greatness.) God answered!
**********
Before we look at Daniel’s prayer, I want to mention
something I saw in comparing the two sermon introductions, my fathers and
mine. I notice that he didn’t share any
illustrations of the crisis from the daily newspaper but I did. I wonder why?
Perhaps it was because he knew that the newspapers were not the inerrant
word of God. Their perspectives and
their choice of stories to share came from people steeped in the wisdom of this
world. Surely we must understand, that one
of the goals of the media is to stir up people’s fears so they will want to
spend more time listening to the media.
It serves their purpose. And at
the same time, they are promoting a perspective of current events that is part
of the world system. John’s description
of the world fits the media as well as every other part of society: it's the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Something to think about!
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