May 4 at sundown - Day 35
Today is day 35 of counting the Omer
Today is day 35 out of Egypt
Today is day 35 of Messiah Resurrected
CHAZAK (Be Strong) (Daniel 10:1-21)
1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The oracle was true and concerns a great war. He understood the message and gained insight through a vision.
2 “In those days, I, Daniel was mourning for three whole weeks.
3 I ate no rich food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I anoint myself with oil, until the end of three weeks.
4 “Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was beside the bank of the great river, the Tigris,
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a man dressed in linen with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 His body was like yellow jasper, his face like a flash of lightning, his eyes like fiery torches, his arms and his feet like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude.
7 “Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men that were with me did not see the vision. Nevertheless, such a great terror fell upon them that they fled and hid themselves.
8 So I was left alone to see this great vision. My strength drained from me and my vigor was destroyed; I could not summon any strength.
9 Yet I heard the sound of his words. When I heard him speaking, I fell on my face in a deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 “Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 He said to me, ‘Daniel, highly valued man, carefully consider the words I am speaking to you. Stand up! For now I have been sent to you.’ When he spoke this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12 “Then he said to me, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel! For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come because of your words.
13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for 21 days, but behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I had been detained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future days. For the vision concerns days yet to come.’
15 “While he was speaking these words to me, I bowed my face toward the ground and was speechless.
16 Then behold, one who resembled a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, ‘O my Lord because of the vision, anguish has overcome me and I have no strength.
17 For how can this servant of my Lord speak with my Lord since no strength remains in me and no spirit is left in me?’
18 “Again the one who looked like a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 Then he said: ‘Highly valued man, do not fear! Shalom to you. Be strong, now! Chazak!’ “Even as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’
20 “Then he said: ‘Do you understand why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia! When I go, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But first, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of truth.’ (No one strengthened me against these, except Michael your prince).
Reflect:
Daniel was a Jewish exile living in a foreign land. God had shown up in his life in powerful ways, rescuing him from being thrown into a fiery furnace and keeping him safe after being thrown to the lions. He knew what God could do, and how He could work miracles in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. Daniel’s dedication to his Creator and his desire to see and understand God’s plan are examples we can follow in the here and now. Through fasting and prayer we can petition Yeshua and ask Him to help us see our sins and to repent of them. When we do this, He will be faithful to show us His plans for us personally and as a congregation. He will also show us the depth of His love for us as well as for those who need to know of His love and mercy.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, be merciful to me and forgive my sins. Help me to see You for who You are. Show me Your plans and use me to reach people with the message of Your love. Help us as a community hear from You about Your heart for all people to know You and how we can be a part of it. Amen.
10 “Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 He said to me, ‘Daniel, highly valued man, carefully consider the words I am speaking to you. Stand up! For now I have been sent to you.’ When he spoke this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12 “Then he said to me, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel! For from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come because of your words.
13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for 21 days, but behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I had been detained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future days. For the vision concerns days yet to come.’
15 “While he was speaking these words to me, I bowed my face toward the ground and was speechless.
16 Then behold, one who resembled a human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, ‘O my Lord because of the vision, anguish has overcome me and I have no strength.
17 For how can this servant of my Lord speak with my Lord since no strength remains in me and no spirit is left in me?’
18 “Again the one who looked like a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 Then he said: ‘Highly valued man, do not fear! Shalom to you. Be strong, now! Chazak!’ “Even as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’
20 “Then he said: ‘Do you understand why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia! When I go, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But first, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of truth.’ (No one strengthened me against these, except Michael your prince).
Reflect:
Daniel was a Jewish exile living in a foreign land. God had shown up in his life in powerful ways, rescuing him from being thrown into a fiery furnace and keeping him safe after being thrown to the lions. He knew what God could do, and how He could work miracles in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. Daniel’s dedication to his Creator and his desire to see and understand God’s plan are examples we can follow in the here and now. Through fasting and prayer we can petition Yeshua and ask Him to help us see our sins and to repent of them. When we do this, He will be faithful to show us His plans for us personally and as a congregation. He will also show us the depth of His love for us as well as for those who need to know of His love and mercy.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, be merciful to me and forgive my sins. Help me to see You for who You are. Show me Your plans and use me to reach people with the message of Your love. Help us as a community hear from You about Your heart for all people to know You and how we can be a part of it. Amen.
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At Restoration, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer. During this season of counting of the Omer, we have decided to do this collectively as a congregation in the days leading up to Shavuot. Together, we want to trust in His power to impact our lives, our congregation, our city, and our world. The last 10 days we will encourage a corporate time of fasting and prayer, which starts the evening of May 9 and ends the evening of May 19. The conclusion of this season of prayer will culminate in a congregational picnic on the 50th day, the day of Shavuot - Sunday, May 20 at noon.
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