Acts 1:11 “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”
A miracle healing-experience in 1982 totally changed my FOCUS on life. I felt a “window shade” had been taken from my eyes. I saw God’s eternal plan that His children would reign with Him on a “new Heavens and new Earth”. I had a desire to tell others and bring HOPE for daily living. I longed to see Jesus face to face, and I shared this truth in prisons. My favorite song is SOON AND VERY SOON!
The trials, disappointments, and world events never changed my FOCUS. I was even encouraged by the Bible stories told by my Grandmother, especially Daniel. As a teenager, he was taken captive to a pagan land. God gave him great wisdom with ruthless kings. In later years, Daniel interpreted a King’s prophetic dream.
Recently, while reading a Devotional by David Jeremiah, I was impressed by his words that “Daniel exalted in thanksgiving”. He joyfully PRAISED and THANKED GOD in the midst of a revelation with shocking events. It caused me to renew my FOCUS on God’s Promise that gives me hope so many years: JESUS IS COMING!
Daniel 2:20-23 ”Daniel said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise… I thank thee, O thou God of my fathers…”
In our own days of troubling world events, I encourage us to follow Daniel’s own example to praise and thank God with joy and anticipation. God is still in control!
“Dear Lord, the times are in Your Hands and so are we. You warned that perilous times would come in the Last Days. You also told us these Last Days would prepare us for the return of Christ. We’re apt to be troubled by politics, upset by elections, and wary of rulers. But You, O Lord, direct the affairs of history and if the prophet Daniel could praise You in Babylon, we can praise You in our modern world. Thank You for being on Your throne. Help us to focus on Your wonderful eternal plan. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.”