December 19
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of Heaven. Daniel 2:1
While tossing and turning sometimes at night, sleep sure can elude us! How long a night can seem when we are troubled! Some years back while wrestling with a decision to make, I read somewhere to sincerely pray about it before going to sleep at night asking for help with the decision, and on awakening, the first solution thought about would be the decision to make. The answer would be revealed in the first direction your thoughts go! Since that time I have repeatedly used this method as part of the process of decision making, and I have to admit that when I seek those answers with all my heart, they are always revealed! Sometimes the response is questioned, for it may not be the one I was leaning toward or actually wanted, but in the end, that direction almost always results in being the one with my best interests at heart. Subsequently this led me to the practice of always offering my day, and every decision big or small in it, to God.
When weighing choices to make in daily, small, troublesome issues or during major life problems, God is always there to give us guidance and He uses many modalities to get our attention; it may be in a dream, an understanding of heart, the right person at the right time or an unexpected opportunity. We read throughout Scripture that He sends His messengers – His angels to us. As Joseph struggled with his decision about his espoused Mary, an angel came to him in a dream! (Matthew 1:20) What if Joseph had not listened to his heart?
Unlike Daniel, who understood and accepted his ability to interpret dreams and visions, or Joseph who grasped the meaning of this visitation and acted upon it, we are often taken aback by revelations, not expecting such direct communication from our God. When we keep our hearts open though, like Daniel and Joseph too, we begin to understand where God is leading us and praise Him for his constant generosity.
God of heaven we thank you for constantly revealing yourself to us and giving us the answers we seek. During this journey of Advent, may we keep our hearts open to your messengers of hope.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of Heaven. Daniel 2:1
While tossing and turning sometimes at night, sleep sure can elude us! How long a night can seem when we are troubled! Some years back while wrestling with a decision to make, I read somewhere to sincerely pray about it before going to sleep at night asking for help with the decision, and on awakening, the first solution thought about would be the decision to make. The answer would be revealed in the first direction your thoughts go! Since that time I have repeatedly used this method as part of the process of decision making, and I have to admit that when I seek those answers with all my heart, they are always revealed! Sometimes the response is questioned, for it may not be the one I was leaning toward or actually wanted, but in the end, that direction almost always results in being the one with my best interests at heart. Subsequently this led me to the practice of always offering my day, and every decision big or small in it, to God.
When weighing choices to make in daily, small, troublesome issues or during major life problems, God is always there to give us guidance and He uses many modalities to get our attention; it may be in a dream, an understanding of heart, the right person at the right time or an unexpected opportunity. We read throughout Scripture that He sends His messengers – His angels to us. As Joseph struggled with his decision about his espoused Mary, an angel came to him in a dream! (Matthew 1:20) What if Joseph had not listened to his heart?
Unlike Daniel, who understood and accepted his ability to interpret dreams and visions, or Joseph who grasped the meaning of this visitation and acted upon it, we are often taken aback by revelations, not expecting such direct communication from our God. When we keep our hearts open though, like Daniel and Joseph too, we begin to understand where God is leading us and praise Him for his constant generosity.
God of heaven we thank you for constantly revealing yourself to us and giving us the answers we seek. During this journey of Advent, may we keep our hearts open to your messengers of hope.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson