Morning by Morning, November 15 - Those “Who Know Their God Shall Stand Firm and Take Action” Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me by Your Spirit, as I listen for Your voice here in my heart and through every moment of my day. ... “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32). There’s much we don’t understand, much that’s yet to be revealed about the end times. But some we know from what You have revealed. And one thing we know is that the worldly ruler, by the spirit of the age that will move within him, will “do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36). The same spirit within that ruler that will speak astonishing things against You will also speak flattering things, seducing things to those willing to violate the covenant and turn away from You and the promises and principles of Your covenant. Like the ruler of that age, many will be seduced to do as they will, just as he does as he wills. It will be the same as in the days of chaos and confusion when “there was no king in Israel (when) everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” in their own will apart from Your will, in the mood of times, filled with self-centered, self-exalting, lawlessness and rebellion against the God of the covenant (Judges 21:25). But even so, at the same time, there is will also be a Spirit who is at work in the hearts and minds of all who humble themselves to call on Your name, who will be loyal and faithful to the end, no matter what. They will “stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32). They will be given courage and boldness to stand against the flood of the times. They will be able to “stand firm and take action” because they “know their God” (Daniel 11:32). Draw us near to You, God. Open our eyes to see You, open our ears to hear You. May we be a faithful people taking a bold stand against the flood of the times, against the flattering and seducing spirit of our times trying to turn us away from the covenant and our covenant-keeping God to embrace the ways of this world and its ruler. Now is the time we must pray for greater courage. Now is the time we must develop stronger character. Then when the day comes when we’re being forced to bow down and renounce the truth we know in our hearts, to deny the ways of righteousness and be swallowed up in the ways of the world with no distinction between the culture of Your Kingdom and the culture that’s destroying and denying all that’s holy and right and true, we will still “stand firm” and we will still “take action” no matter the cost. By the power of Your grace at work within us, by the power of Your Spirit moving through us, we will “be strong” and even “carry out great exploits” to exalt Your name and display Your glory in the midst of the darkness of that day (Daniel 11:32 NKJV). We will “make many understand” despite the seducing deception being taught in those days, and already at work in our world (v. 33). Then even in the face of intimidation and persecution being unleashed by the culture of the world, even in the face of the threats of “sword and flame,” of “captivity and plunder,” when some will “stumble,” we will continue to “stand firm” by the grace of God (v. 33). Even their attacks will be turned around and redeemed by You, as You cause even those things to work together for our good, that we may be further “refined, purified, and made white (to be holy, cleansed, and set apart for You and Your Kingdom), until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time” (v. 35). Come, Holy Spirit. Be at work within us now -- within the Body and the Bride of Christ, as we come to know our God in deeper intimacy and greater truth. Refine us, purify us, cleanse us. Strengthen us, encourage us, empower us. With Your courage in our hearts, we’ll overcome the onslaught of the culture of this world, standing firm in the culture of Christ to take action for the cause of the Kingdom and the glory of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be drawn near to God, standing firm and taking action by His Spirit abiding in you, now and in the days to come, in Jesus' name. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org | 
