The Covid debacle revealed a serious weakness in the Lord's Church regarding a proper understanding of the role of Government and the Church. In this passage we are shown what a proper understanding of the role of Government is (or in this case isn't!). Paul and Silas use just laws and means to benefit the Church in light of evil perpetrated against them.

Wouldn't ministry be so much more successful if we had plenty of money, support, a better building, and less conflict and opposition? Our God is not limited in reaching His people, but in fact works through those difficulties we wish away to advance His Kingdom. Dear friend, do not let your trials dissuade you from faithfulness in your service to Christ!

The true Church will ALWAYS be opposed by the World. Daniel 10 is the introduction to the last vision given to Daniel. The message is true and concerns the LORD's people and great conflict to come. The LORD's people need not be afraid of what is to come, as our sovereign LORD fights for His people! The battle is the LORD's!

When will the Lord's people be restored? When will sin be done and righteousness be established? When will worship and the name of the Lord be honored again? It happened when the Messiah came, was crucified and resurrected! Daniel's prayer was answered when Jesus Christ came! The Old has given way to the New!

The Lord answers prayer. He answered Daniel's prayer. Sin will be done away, everlasting righteousness will be brought to bear, and the LORD will be esteemed...eventually. However, before it is accomplished there will be distress and hardship. We must trust and obey, even when things don't seem to go the way that we would expect and hope they would. Don't grow discouraged!

How easy it is to become discouraged in ministry, to do what is right before the Lord and to have such adverse reactions to it! We are given a wonderful example here in Acts 16 of men whose eyes remain fixed upon the Lord and whose hearts are not embittered by the injustices they endured. While it seems our labors so often are fruitless, the Lord knows what He is doing. What men intend for evil, our God intends for good!

Familiarity with Jesus Christ does not make you a part of the family of God! Religious busyness does not make you a sharer in Christ. Religious heritage does not secure you a place in heaven. Faith in Christ is how we enter the family of God, and those who do the will of the Father are those who show their faith is real.

Demons are real, and the ministry of the Gospel will be opposed. Servant of Christ don't be discouraged at the opposition you experience for the sake of making Christ known! Christ is greater than that which opposes you. Act with that authority with which you have been given to advance His kingdom!

Daniel prayed for the people of God and the LORD answered his prayer...so too we as the LORD's people must pray with an eye towards the glory of God and we too will have our prayers answered because of Christ...but understand that the answer to our prayers may not be what we were expecting, so give heed to what the answer is!

The greatest good that can come to this nation and to this world is that people come to know Jesus Christ! Our politicians and policies can only go so far..."Do Not Trust in Princes...". Psalm 67 is a prayer that God would bless His people, the church, so that they may in turn be a blessing to the Nations!