Daniel 11:32

New International Version (NIV)

 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

For meditation

1. In the midst of the rising deception and lies in the world, how can the child of God survive? How can we stand against the barrage of evil artillery unleashed against the church to deceive and diminish the influence of God’s word in our lives?
2. Have you noticed the trend in our churches these days? Haven’t you felt the swift currents of pop culture and accommodation of the world sweeping through our worship services? “Anything to bring them in”, they say; but at what cost? How much collateral damage can the church endure before our faith is so diluted that no one can distinguish us from the world anymore?
3. Haven’t you noticed the flattery flowing from our pulpits lately? “Anything to make them happy and relaxed after a difficult week in the workplace”, some claim. But is that not opium for the masses? Is it any wonder why so many are addicted to the arena style worship with little substance?
4. Is it not a precursor to the fulfilment of Daniel 11:31-32a? Otherwise, why is the church being subjected to so much corruption on a daily basis? When the talk and deeds of those who profess Christ violate the covenant in His blood, are they not being corrupted by the flattery from our pulpits? How far can they go before shipwrecking their faith?
5. But, glory to God! Is it not heartwarming to know that in the midst of such fierce spiritual warfare, “Those who know their God will firmly resist him” (32b)? Are you not glad that the power of God’s word is able to keep you from falling to the corruption of the church by the spirit of the antichrist who, as John says, “is already in the world” (1 Jn. 4:3)?

I pray we all make sure that we belong to the company of those “who know their God”, and that we will stand firmly against the flattery and corruption that are sweeping across the church of Christ.

So: May we strengthen our knowledge of God through His word and prayer; and may our increased knowledge of Christ keep us from selling our conscience for social and cultural expediency. May it empower us to endure suffering for His name’s sake!

Our strength against the evil one is in the intimate knowledge of the Christ we profess.

Shalom