You are Very Precious to God
Written by Patricia Klein
Who hasn’t been captivated by the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and Daniel in the lions’ den? Facing the rage of the most powerful king, they declared “Our God can save us, but even if he doesn’t, we will never bow down to you!” Wow! What raw confidence in their identity as sons of the Almighty God!
And Daniel, now in his eighties, not only continued his thrice daily prayers against the King’s new arbitrary decree, but “opened wide his window”. Wow again!
We love the story of how God found Hagar, alone with her son in the wilderness, facing certain death. Jehovah God - the God of Israel (not yet known as the God of her people, the Egyptians), Jehovah spoke to her BY NAME! He let her know He knew her and wanted to rescue her.
We love sharing such stories as we minister to others day by day.
But a new, precious truth from the Book of Daniel leapt off the pages to me recently. Here’s the setting.
Daniel had served the pagan administration in the land of their captivity with excellence for many years. That’s a lesson in itself!
Along the way, God began to share with him visions about the future. They left him terrified, mourning, even sick. (Daniel 7:28, 8:27)
Continually searching the writings, one day he read “Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years”. (Daniel 9:2) Daniel realized this period was coming to an end. He went into prayer and fasting, confessing his people’s sins, declaring God’s righteousness in judgement, and begging for mercy.
God was sharing secrets with his trusted servant that brought fear to his heart. Lovingly, He sent Gabriel with reassurance. “Daniel, I’ve come to give you insight and understanding…for you are very precious to God.”
A little later Daniel had another vision, also leaving him fainting with weakness. Again, the messenger from God touched him, lifted him, and said, “Daniel, you are very precious to God. …Don’t be afraid…I’m here to explain…” (Daniel 10:8)
Later again, as Daniel expressed his anguish, the messenger reassured him, “Don’t be afraid, for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” And Daniel was strengthened. He went on to write down the visions, which continue to guide us centuries later to understand that GOD HAS A PLAN FOR THE AGES.
My point? We as leaders are blessed to share God’s love with pre-believers and young believers, to encourage them toward the Lord. But during years of faithful service, we ourselves can get tired, burdened, even discouraged in the journey.
Dear friends, You are very precious to God! Let that truth seep into your heart.
As you intercede in prayer, begging for God’s mercy though so undeserved, as He sometimes shares secrets of His heart with you, allow Him to touch YOU again and again, soothing the raw spots. Then rise up in strength and go on, faithfully being used. There’s a wonderful promise for you in the last verse of the book!
You, my leader friend, are very precious to God!
