Spiritual Destruction Comes in Many Forms

Verses: Daniel 8 : 1 - 27

My thoughts about the verses:

This vision was very disturbing to Daniel.  As Gabriel told him the dream he was filled with fear to the point that he became ill.  He knew that eventually the kingdom would fall.  The King that would come would bring great destruction not only to the Persians but it would also affect the Jewish community.

The destruction would affect how they could serve.  The ruler would affect their lives in a way that the Persians never had.  The Jews would go through very hard times.  Yet, Daniel could not truly imagine what would happen.  He knew that it was not happening soon.  He was so overcome by the message that he kept it to himself at that point and time.  He did not want to cause panic among those that were living in Persia and believed in the One True God.

Now we have to look at our own lives.  How many times have we been in places where our worship has been affected?  Times in which we cannot serve the way that we feel led.  Obstacles come from people that we never expected.  We are forced to make drastic decisions just like Daniel did at this moment and time.  We have to decide to fight the leader and possibly be spiritually destroyed or do we move on and avoid the situation.

I can tell you that there have been several times in my life that this happened.  One of the hardest happened when I was in my early twenties.  I had a calling on my heart that meant more than anything else.  I knew that I was a Lesbian.  Yet, I kept it a secret.  I was so afraid if anyone found out I would be abandoned and my spiritual life would be destroyed.

I worked with kids and felt the power of God with me.  Every Sunday the kids came by the van load ready and eager to learn about God.  They had a safe place for a few hours that they didn’t have to worry about the troubles at home or in their community.  They were coming to know God as the true savior of the world.  Several had said that prayer asking God to come in their life and change them forever.

I was respected highly.  I had only two problems I was a female and a Lesbian.  I tried my best to keep in the peg hold that was where I was expected to be.  I struggled daily to keep my identity in hiding I was miserable.  I hadn’t done anything to act on it.  Yet, I knew that I didn’t fit neatly on the shelf the way they wanted me to.

I decided one night I couldn’t handle it anymore and when to a gay bar.  It was brought to the pastor’s attention and sure enough that was the end of my calling.  I was thrust out on the street because I was living in what was called the ultimate sin.  I was no longer welcomed and I felt like my whole life was destroyed.

Don’t you think Daniel feared this?  He knew what he had under the present King.  He was free to be himself.  He didn’t have to be pigeonholed into one thing.  He could love God and worship God.  At the same time he could do work for the King.  How were his life and the life of the Church going to change when this new ruler took over.  It had to feel as if his whole world was being destroyed.

He felt the need to keep it inside.  He didn’t want things to change until they had to.  He was stuck within a lie trying his best to run from what was just around the corner.  Can’t you totally understand why he became ill thinking about this.

I can tell you when I faced my change I was very ill spiritually.  I will share this anyone that pushes people away from their spiritual foundation will one day meet the same destruction that the King did that overtook Persia.  You cannot keep God’s ministry down forever.  One day God will take back that which was lost so that the work of the Holy One can continue.

Prayer:

Holy God we thank you for all of your love.  We praise you for all that you have done in our life.  We worship you for your strength in all situations.  Help us as we go through times when our ministry is in question.  Help us understand that we always have you on our side.  Help us find a place we can minister when we feel things are falling apart spiritually.  We ask that you anoint us with wisdom.  Help us know when we should let go and follow you.  Help us know when to stay and try to make things work out.  In the name of the Comforter we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you ever been in a place that you feel that you are on the verge of spiritual destruction?   Have you held onto your commitment to God?  Are you willing to follow God no matter what outside forces place on you spiritually?