January 10th – “Acknowledge Him In All Your Ways”
“Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:20-22
To discover is often understood as to uncover something hidden or to find what has yet to be located. At the heart of each pursuit is an acknowledgement that there is someone or something to be identified and retained. Whether it is a long-lost artefact or ground breaking information, discovery has pushed humanity forward and given us the capacity to accomplish more. During our time of fasting and prayer, we have resolved to discover God which includes discovering His identity and His character. Thus, discovering God cannot begin without an initial acknowledgement of His omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence.
In the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael discover God after a great revelation. After being conscripted into the king’s service, Daniel and his friends are confronted with a real challenge when the king demands to have an official recount and interpret a troubling dream. When the astrologers’ attempts to do so fails, Daniel and his friends are faced with a great ultimatum- their imminent execution OR the task of doing what seems nearly impossible. Motivated by a sense of urgency, Daniel acknowledges that when he and his friends turn to God and “plead for mercy,” the outcome can be different.
Daniel’s swift turn to God comes from an underlying acknowledgement that God is omniscient- that is to say- God is ALL knowing. God is the only appropriate person to consult about the king’s dreams because God is able to reveal what humans could never know. Rather than wasting his time trying to conjure up a human explanation like the astrologers did, Daniel goes straight to God, acknowledging that God has the answer and discovers precisely what that answer is.
Throughout your life, there may have been many times where you’ve tried to figure things out on your own – only to quickly realize how limited you are. If you’ve ever had your back against the wall, you know that logic and emotional appeals fail. Sometimes, it takes a seemingly impossible situation like the one Daniel and his friends endured, to cause us to acknowledge God.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT is a heart posture which says God IS God and IS worthy of the reverence due His name.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT reminds us that God IS sovereign and all-knowing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT renders us humble and in need of His omniscience to understand the steps towards our deliverance.
And for Daniel, an ACKNOWLEDGMENT equipped him with the means to fulfill his role and operate in the capacity God purposed for him in his generation. As believers, let’s COMMIT to acknowledging God before, during and after, as well as to praising Him as we experience breakthroughs. Not just in moments of desperation, but in EVERYTHING we do as we journey through 2021 and beyond. Truly we will discover God, our Saviour, the only One who can meet all of our needs, whenever we are in need.
Reflection:
How can you be more intentional about acknowledging God throughout your day?
What are some of the discoveries you have made after you acknowledged God?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are the God in Heaven. You are God in all the nations and God in all the earth. I praise You God for being mindful of me and allowing me to step into a new year despite all the trials and storms of the last one. I acknowledge that Your hand is upon me and You continue to be my guide. I humbly submit all of my plans for this year before You and I say, “God, lead me in the way everlasting.” I want to live to please You in line with Your will and Your way. I pray that You grant me the knowledge and the wisdom to possess everything You have set before me this year. I know all things are possible with You omniscient Father, so I thank You now. In Jesus name, Amen.
Written by Deborah Nimoh
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