“13. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.”
In the beginning of this chapter you will read Daniel coming to the knowledge that they will be in captivity for seventy years based upon Jeremiah. Jeremiah had prophesied that if Jerusalem don’t turn from their wicked ways, God will judge them for seventy years as captives in Babylon. Guess what, God was true in His word because it happened exactly as he said it would. Looking at vs 13 we can see that Daniel is identifying with God’s faithfulness from the law of Moses. The law of Moses is actually God’s Holy Word which consist of the books, Genesis through Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 28 Moses is reminding Israel that God will bless them if they will stay faithful to Him, but also that He will curse them if they turn away. The reason they are in Babylon is not because God is a mean God, but because He is a righteous God. When destruction happens in our lives, the first thing that comes to mind is that this is God’s fault, but notice how Daniel is realizing that they are in captivity because of their own sin. If God says something will happen, you better believe that it will happen. There is a penalty for sin! If your not saved, the Bible says, the penalty is everlasting punishment in a lake of fire. If you are saved, the Bible says you will reap what you sow. Moses chose to suffer affliction than enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season(Hebrews 11:24-25). That is true, there is pleasure in sin, but its only for a season. Do you feel like God is dealing with you about sin in your life at this very moment? Do you deserve the chastisement? You cannot live as a believer in open sin and expect nothing will come about it. God is righteous in all His works and every person will reap what they sow. The hunting community is a sad picture of people turning from God. Have you ever wondered how far this Chronic Wasting Disease will go. Whitetail deer are contracting all kinds of diseases that are hurting the populations. Could it be that God is bringing curses upon our nation for the prideful place it has become? Just think about it! Hunting has turned into a business rather than an enjoyable time in God’s creation. Its all about the truck you drive, the broad head you shoot, the type of camo you wear, and size of buck you kill. Let me remind you that Proverbs 16:18 still says that “Pride goeth before contention, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Haughty means being lofty and errogant; along with pride. Do you really want to end up like Israel in a land of captivity? God’s desire for all of His children is to repent of their sin. The word repent means to turn from. Where are you at today? Is there sin holding you down? The Bible says all you have to do is confess to God your sin and ask Him to help you turn from it. He will forgive you and He will help you, regardless of the sin. Is God chastening you today? Is He dealing with you about something? Turn from it, before its too late. Sometimes God allows captivity, but its because He is righteous in all His works. God is not the one to blame for the place that you may be in. There are great blessings in the hand of God, but you must turn from your sin and trust in God’s righteousness.
Memory Verse Week 4/13/20
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goeth before contention, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
