Pearls of Great Value

“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel‬ ‭2:21-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As we head into a new year, let us go with this amazing revelation of Daniel 2:21 in our hearts. God changes times and seasons. God gives wisdom and knowledge. God will reveal the deep and hidden things and bring them into the light to restore and heal them. I know we are in a hour that seems to grow darker as it goes on, but I fully believe that this present darkness is no match for the light that is coming. For the light and the glory of God that will overshadow everything and bring clarity, from sea to sea. I fully believe that many will come to know the truth and the truth will set us free! The Lord is our God and He isn’t lost for words or throwing up His hands in defeat right now. He has known the times and He has also known from the beginning of time what we are facing at the moment. Nothing is hidden from Him! I love the truth that Daniel speaks here. He says that God changes the times and the seasons. Psalms 31 also speaks to this and says “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” Psa. 31:14–15

My times are in His hand! That is such a comfort and a relief. I’m not here by mistake or by accident. I am here by divine appointment. By his amazing grace He has set the time or the course of my life. It is in His power, in His hands. Because of this fact, I can be free from fear and doubt. If He has chosen this time and this season for me to be alive, isn’t it also in His hands the power to preserve and keep me and deliver me from the power of my enemies? It is! Look at what psalm 31:20 says: “In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter (pavilion) from the strife of tongues.” Psalms‬ ‭31:20‬ ‭AMP‬‬

My Father has always had a plan. There are no details that He missed. Aren’t we so incredibly blessed to be included in those details? He hides us in the protection of His presence! That’s so amazing. Did you realize that just by being in His presence you are protected and hidden? I don’t know about you, but as for me, I want to live every day hidden in my Savior. It keeps coming back to this one thing. Dwelling with the Lord. Staying in the Word. Keeping His face ever before our eyes. This is what it means to be in His presence and under His care.

He has never, not even for a second forgotten about us. Yes, you and I are foremost in His mind! His love is that big. So, let us live like we are loved by Him! Let us live with boldness and confidence that our Abba has got this. Let us not waver in unbelief but in awe and respect put our hope in the Lord for He is mighty to save!  As Daniel puts it, God knows what is in the darkness. None of what we are going through right now is a surprise to Him. He isn’t shocked by man’s deceiving nature, nor by the actions of the ungodly. It surely disappoints His heart but it doesn’t waver His faithfulness to save. Thank Him for this! Praise Him for the way through this present Red Sea. Yes, I will praise Him for going before me and making a way.

We have a part to do though. It requires one thing of us: Intimacy with the Lord. How can man be intimate with a great God? Sounds impossible, but it isn’t. The one who will chose to be close to the Fathers heart is the one to whom He reveals deep and hidden things. Don’t you want to know what God thinks about through all of this strife and confusion? Then sit down and study the Word! Jesus is the Word and as you sit and behold Him, He’ll reveal His heart to you. Plus, the closer you are to Him the better is His protection. Think about His protection like an umbrella over you. If you stay under the umbrella, if you stay in His presence, His protection is automatically over you. But if you choose to walk away, you are choosing to leave your shield. If you choose to be lazy as He moves you’ll get left behind. If you don’t see and don’t know the value of being in His presence you’ll easily be persuaded by the enemy to undermine its importance. Intimacy with the Lord will always ignite in us whatever it is we need for the present moment. Don’t waver from studying the Word and meditating on it day and night. Write the promises as a seal upon your heart. Let them stir faith in you, let them carry you through every season!

Let God be your authority and your ultimate decision-maker. Do you believe that He can and will shepherd your life in the perfect way if you submit yourself to Him? Ask yourself this. Then boldly proclaim with the Psalmist: my times are in your hand, Lord, and I believe that great is Your goodness that You’ve stored up for me! I will continually say of You, oh Lord, great is your mercy and kindness, great is your power to save. I will trust in you and not be moved! Today! As long as it is Today, I’m expecting great things to be done in me and around me, for You are here with me.

Change the times Lord, change the seasons! We ask to be filled with wisdom and understanding as we wait on You. Thank you for the light of Your word and for the protection of Your presence. Help us navigate through this coming year with boldness and in full assurance of Your love. May the kingdom of God be our constant focus and pursuit. You alone are our greatest strength, let us take courage in this and step into tomorrow holding Your hand. We love you! In Jesus name, Amen.