We are getting close to the official start of Fall here in the Northern Hemisphere. The change of seasons usually gets me looking back at what got done and what didn’t over the last quarter. It’s a leftover of my working life where we reevaluated every quarter of the financial year. While my life no longer follows financial quarters, it is still an ingrained habit to look at how things are going with each season.

A prayer of Daniel and for us today:

¹⁹ Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

²⁰ Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

For wisdom and might are His.

²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

²² He reveals deep and secret things;

He knows what is in the darkness,

And light dwells with Him.

²³ “I thank You and praise You,

O God of my fathers;

You have given me wisdom and might,

And have now made known to me what we asked of You,

For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

[Daniel 2:19-23]¹

Let’s set the stage: Daniel worked in Babylon. A place that did not believe in one God. He did this without compromising his beliefs. In return, God blessed him. The King called all of Babylon’s magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to ask them what he dreamed and its interpretation. They could not do it. Only God knew the answer the King sought. Daniel sought the Lord’s wisdom. This prayer is Daniel’s response and thanksgiving for God’s answer, revealing the dream, and the interpretation.

We live in another time, but not that much different. Maybe I don’t have a job like Daniel’s, but I still live in the world with leaders, friends, and even family who pressure me to compromise my faith in God.

Today in the United States, I feel the pressure of Babylon. It saddens me that pride, greed, and hatred have come out to play in all aspects of American life. My energy drains away with the sadness. Yet when the Lord directed me to this passage and I found hope. God does not give up. Nor does He let go of those of us that are His.

It is good to remind myself that God “… changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;” I am not in charge here. As much as I would like to have my way in the world, it is not my choice. It is not my responsibility.

As spring led into summer, things changed in our family. I’ve written some about the deep rift in our family starting in 2020. The rift became deeper this spring, throwing me into deep grief over the summer. Slowly my closest family members drew close and those relationships have deepened and grew. When I think of the ones lost to the world, I am deeply sad.

That is the bitter. Then I see what God has given me. A tighter and more open family unit, a deeper faith, the courage to face the plan God has for us, and a deeper dependence on God our Father. This is the sweetness God provides. Yes, bittersweet is this life. The world gives bitter but our God the Father provides us with the sweet to keep us going. Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father, my summer did not turn out the way I wanted. I struggled with pain, loss, and grief. Yet, you showed me the good things You brought during this time of struggle. In the darkness, You alone strengthen us with Your hope and mercy. In a world lost, You bring us the sweetness of life. Please continue to strengthen us in the journey ahead. You are our Guide and Protector. We Glorify You this precious day that You have given us. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! In Yeshua’s name, amen. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

Even in this darkness, there is hope. Let us, like Daniel, remain uncompromising in our faith.

Milly

P.S: Today, I was going to go over the new steps forward. Things about this blog, changes happening here, and writing. But when the Holy Spirit flows it just turns out better than I planned. So I roll with it. Now that I have looked back over the last season, I see I needed to grieve and heal. I felt like I wasn’t getting anything done. Turns out the Lord was working and healing me all the while. My next post I hope into the adventure journey and have some news to report.

P.P.S (giggle): I finally got things going on one social media site. Have I mentioned how hard it is for me to keep up with social media? I’m sure I have. Anyway, you can find Milly Really on GETTR at: https://gettr.com/user/millyreally or @MillyReally on GETTR. You are invited to join me on GETTR.com if you are so inclined.

A funny thing: I set up the account in February and posted nothing. Then over the last month or so I posted the last few blogs. I still need profile and background pictures and I have (oops!) 64 followers! How on earth??? Hopefully this week I’ll at least decorate the place with some pictures… 😀

Footnote:

¹All scripture is from the New King James Version: Prophecy Study Bible New King James Version, Editor John C. Hagee © 1997 by Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Have a wonderful week God Bless!