Text: Daniel 10:1-21

Dear Young People,

BE PREPARED FOR "HARDSHIP" TO COMPREHEND SPIRITUAL TRUTHS

We often assume that spiritual truths are easily comprehended. We are wrong and mistaken if we have this assumption. Let us compare two texts that are quite similar to each other.

"Then I set my face toward the Lord God
to make request by prayer and supplications,
with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
And I prayed to the Lord my God…"
Daniel 9:3-4

"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.
I ate no pleasant food, no meat nor wine came into my mouth,
Nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks
Were fulfilled."
Daniel 10:2-3

The above texts describe two separate occasions when Daniel set aside time for the purpose of seeking the Lord to give him deep spiritual insight and understanding. What do these texts have to teach us:-

1. We are not to take for granted that spiritual truths are handed out by God readily.

2. God's truths are precious and they are never given out as if they were common-place knowledge!

3. The soul of the person who wishes to know the deeper things of God must be prepared to wait upon the Lord… for however long it takes.

4. He is prepared to fast and pray and undertake whatever else is necessary, to obtain a deeper understanding of spiritual truths!

These were great truths that Daniel understood concerning the search for spiritual knowledge and understanding! Few of us possess this comprehension, and so few of us are prepared to endure hardship for the sake of obtaining deep spiritual truths.

If truth was not easily available, many of us just quit and give up further spiritual attempts to obtain it. Let us abandon this weak and horrible attitude! This is entirely wrong!

LET US DEVELOP A FRESH APPROACH
Let us develop a fresh new approach towards spiritual knowledge! Let us adopt Daniel's approach towards acquisition of spiritual knowledge. Let us shed our wrong approach and adopt a new attitude and approach towards spiritual knowledge and discernment. Let us have the highest regard for spiritual truth. Let us ask the Lord to bless us with a new and deep love for deep spiritual truths!

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 23rd June 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore