HSM at Crossroads

Esther 2:15
When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eu**ch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

Orphaned at a young age, taken in by extended family in foreign land, and now abducted for a crazy king’s beauty pageant— things are hard for Esther, to say the least. Its easy to look at a list like that and wonder, “where is God in all of this?”

But if Esther was never orphaned, she’d never have lived with Mordecai. If she had not been abducted, she would never have become Queen. And if she had never become Queen, she would never be used for what God was about to do.

Sometimes the places we find ourselves in are cold, dark, ugly, and uncomfortable. We must remember; God does not allow anything to go to waste. When we go through hard things, he’s using them as doors into parts of his plan that are more beautiful than we can possibly imagine on our own.

What’s something hard that you’ve seen God use for something beautiful?

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Daniel 11:31-32
Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

Of all the prophecy in the Bible, this chapter is among the clearest and most explicit. A messenger tells Daniel of the political climate of the world in the coming days— the rise of Alexander the Great and his successors, ongoing disputes between Greece and Egypt, and how Israel would be affected by these events. When you look in the history books, you can how it all unfolded, play-by-play, like God said.

But that’s not all there is to see here; the language and story elements used bear a striking resemblance to John’s Revelation, recorded hundreds of years later. The truth is, the prophecy points both to nearer AND farther futures, one serving as a small echo of the other.

All through the ages, God has been repeating himself through whispers and echos, proving his word to be certain, is plan to be solid, and his promises to be trustworthy. Every echo we witness reminds us of what’s been said and what’s yet to come, that we may bear witness to God’s goodness and faithfulness.

What’s something God has shown you time and time again? What is the truth he’s revealing through those reminders?

Daniel 10:11-12
And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words."

This vignette opens with Daniel earnestly petitioning the Lord for answers; a position that believers all throughout history have found themselves in. After 3 weeks, Daniel is finally met by a messenger of God, but by no delay from God-- we find that Daniel's prayer was answered by God before he even prayed.

As finite beings with limited understanding, we struggle constantly with questions, fears and doubts that we bring to God-- often with what seems like no answer. As Daniel learned, though, God is listening, he cares, and he knows. We make our requests known to a God who has written his response before we even ask.

What's something you can trust God for an answer in today?

Daniel 9:18
“O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.”

As Israel’s 70 years of exile came to a close, we open chapter 9 to see Daniel confessing both his sins, and the sins of his people— for it was sin that placed them in exile in the first place.

Confession isn’t just a matter of saying “I’m sorry, Lord,” but rather, confession is the acknowledgement and grief of our transgressions against God, and is necessarily coupled with repentance. This is a fundamental part of our relationship with God, and can prove to be incredibly frightening; when we confess, we are approaching a righteous and holy God with our ugly and unrighteous deeds.

And yet, though frightening, confession is our safest shelter. Our righteous and holy God is merciful and kind, and desires to make us clean and set us free. When we confess our sins, we also confess our need for him, and posture ourselves to receive his immeasurable grace.

What is something you need to lay before God, that you may receive his love and forgiveness?

Daniel 8:16-17
And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

Daniel saw many visions of terrible beasts, pain and suffering, and great struggles. In those same visions, he also saw those beasts put down, their terror brought to an end by the hand of God.

Daniel lived to see many of these prophecies fulfilled, and history shows that even more were fulfilled after Daniel’s time. That said, there are still prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled.

Prophecy isn’t just prediction of the future; it’s God’s plan revealed to us as a promise. The same God that showed Daniel what would be, has promised us that his Son will return and wipe away every tear, and establish for himself an eternal kingdom, which we have been given citizenship in.

God has promised so much good to us; do you trust him with your future?

Daniel 7:11-12
"I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time."

The four kingdoms of Daniel's dreams were represented by four beasts-- four large, predatory creatures with sharp teeth and a fierce appearance. These kingdoms were exactly what they sounded like; powerful kingdoms who preyed on the weak and innocent.

As Daniel's dream continues, he watches as the God, the Ancient of Days, strips the beasts of their authority and gives it into the hands of his Son; one who would reign on the throne forever, benevolently and lovingly. A servant king.

God does not allow evil men to rule forever; there is one who is fit for the eternal throne, and one only; his name is Jesus. As we wait for his return, we are to be patient and prayerful, knowing he will come in his perfect time.

Daniel 6:21-22
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

When Darius becomes ruler, Daniel remains a governor over Babylon. As Daniel is yet again faced with a life and death decision to follow or forsake God, his faith remains unwavering.

It’s not often that we, especially in America, are faced with physical life-or-death circumstances regarding our faith, but we ARE daily confronted with opportunities to remain blameless before both God and men.

God has always been faithful to us, and will continue to be; it’s who he is. As Christians, we are to live faithfully as well, knowing that even when we fail, still he will work all things together for good.

He who reigns over all kings, who rescues from the fire shuts the mouths of lions can and will save his children. Do you trust him enough to remain steadfast?

Daniel 5:23
“but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.”

When Nebuchadnezzar’s reign came to an end, his kingdom was passed into Belshazzar’s hands. And though Nebuchadnezzar was dead, the stories and memories of all the Lord had done during his reign were still very much alive.

Belshazzar called for the vessels of the temple as a challenge to God, knowing full well just how serious an offense it was to the Most High, yet choosing not to believe that he would be punished.

The testimonies of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel were known to Belshazzar; it was not for lack of knowledge that he made this error, but for lack of humility, and willingness to learn from others’ mistakes.

What has been made known about God through testimonies and the Bible should transform and humble us. What’s something you’ve learned through the mouth of another?

Daniel 4:32
"...and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”

As Nebuchadnezzar continued in his pride and arrogance, he found himself brought low by the Most High God, that he might come to know that He is Lord. This was his testimony— that he once was proud, that God humbled him, and that from then on he extolled and honored the King of heaven.

A testimony is a powerful tool; the story of what our lives were like before, what God did, and where we are now that God has changed us. Each believer has one, and was given one to use for the encouragement of the saints, the persuasion of those yet to believe, and the glory of the Most High King.

If you believe in Jesus, you have been born again, made into a new creation. You have been transformed, and are being transformed— and these testimonies are meant to be shared and spoken.

What are your testimonies? Are you ready and willing to share?