A glimpse behind the veil
06-17-2008

Column 937, June 4, 2008

“Provoking Christian Insights” series



Part 37

A glimpse behind the veil

Have you ever thought of what goes on behind the scenes of your prayer life? I often wonder if the Lord gets tired of hearing the same old, same old, prayers that I seem to create without giving the thought that I should to my prayer life and what happens when I pray. Only recently have I given thought to thanking God for all the answered prayer in my life. What else may I be missing?



In Sunday School, we have been studying the book of Daniel. Pastor Duane Lee has assembled the works of several commentaries and his own work on Daniel. Needless to say he has brought some insight to the subject that I’d overlooked.



Daniel’s prayers are the subject of many Psalms and are a good pattern for us when learning how to “really pray.” I’ve always known that the forces of good and evil contend with each other in “the heavenlys,” or places that we can’t see because we’ve been taught that. But, when you really start to think about it this warring between good angels and fallen angels (or demonic forces) going on around us comes to life in the way we live and act.



We all know that when the devil gets into a church he comes in like a wily wolf planting seeds of hatred and distrust among members of the congregation. Some of us fall for that stuff and some of us don’t fall. We know that the “mouth,” especially gossip is part of satan’s arsenal of weapons he uses to destroy our churches, friendships, and even our faith. After all, Satan wants you outside of God and dead and he’ll do anything to get you away from God, or the influence of His church.



In Chapter 10 of the book of Daniel, God’s servant is given an inside look at what is about to happen and how it happens. Daniel sees, in a vision, the attempt to destroy Judaism in A.D. 70.



Daniel said, “…I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet, I heard the sound of his words (Jesus was speaking) I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.



“…then He said to me, ‘do not fear, Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking this word to me I stood trembling.”



“…then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words,” (Daniel 10: 5 to 12).



In verse 13 Daniel said, “Michael came to help me.” This verse with v. 20 and 12:1, reveal that there are supernatural champions both for good and for evil taking part in the earthly conflicts of man. (See also James 4:7,8; Romans 8:26). Quotes are from the Open Bible NKJV.



Jesus came because Daniel was faithful in his prayer life. Michael the archangel evidently is Jesus’ second line in command and appears often in the Bible at the behest of God. Daniel said, “Michael came to help me because I was left there along with the Kings of Persia.” Michael told him that he came to make him understand what will happen to your people “in the latter days.”



“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. Obviously there are levels of command among the angels on both sides.. Also, what God promises He fulfills. All of God’s promises are “Yes, and Amen.”



So, what is going on around us?

Obviously Daniel’s peek into the spiritual realm revealed that a great battle was going on that was unseen. The Bible shows clearly that this conflict goes on around us all the time. This great spiritual battle is of the tempter tempting everyone he can convict. Even Christians are taken in by His conniving. The Bible tells us that the “Evil One,” whom we know as the devil, appears as “an angel of light.” How many people do you know that have been taken in by the evil plots of men?



The unseen conflicts of good v.s. evil are going on around us all of the time. God told us in His word that everyday was “made new” and we know the devil gets up early to see if he can undo God’s handiwork. How many people do you know that stepped out of the baptismal pool and within a week had fallen due to the tempters snare? Whenever a person is saved the devil goes right to work to get that soul back. The devil is personally satisfied to leave you alone when he has you for his own.



When we first began to see the drug scene erupt in the 60’s it was hard to realize that the kid on the block with the drug problem was owned by the devil. Like the current heroin problem, once addicted it is hard to avoid death. The devil wants you dead and the sooner the better.



The devil loves lies. God hates a liar. Everyone needs the forgiveness of God that “He might remember it no more,” entering the Kingdom of God with no sin on his lips.



I had a teacher named Bess Ward who used to tell us that an angel of God sat on one shoulder and an agent of the devil sat on the other. It is this thing we call our “conscience.” It was “what was in us” that would cause us to follow our consciences dictates. I used to picture these little guys sitting on my shoulders. Often the bad guy one out when I didn’t want to be found untruthful. The awareness of this “good v.s. evil” war going on with me helped me form better choices about my life. It also kept me from sin.



When I was alone I would remember another church lady, Betty Elder, telling us kids that “God is always with you, even if you are in a closet. You cannot hide from God. Things I wanted to do in secret, I would remember that God was watching. There have been many times in my life that I suddenly realized that the bad thing I was about to do was going to be on God’s ‘candid camera’ to be played back on Judgement Day.



Most boys and girls today have no idea of what goes on in the spiritual realms. The ones that do have some “spiritual knowledge” have had a “Harry Potter experience” right from the pit of Hell. Many don’t realize that this stuff is real, not the Harry Potter stuff but the fact that the forces of good and evil are warring around us. The bad thing is that I can’t prove that to you only by the faith I have in the Bible … God’s Word given to man.



Daniel was allowed to see behind the veil because of his faithfulness to God. Like Job and others he was rewarded for his faith. God will reward you for your faith. I’d rather take a chance on what God says being true than taking a flyer on a demon. Makes sense doesn’t it?



If any of this puzzles you I might add that you need to consult your pastor or Christian teacher. This is a touchy subject that will bring you face to face with Jesus in your prayer life. Prayer is not a “light and fluffy thing” in and of itself. This is serious business that Pastor Lee says needs to be taken with “groaning” in its intensity. To be spiritually ready should be our highest goal. Let us labor fervently to remain in Christ, overcome double-mindedness, and keep the devils minions at bay.



INSPIRATION: “Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever, (Psalm 23:4).

Write: croneis@embarqmail.com