The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, joy. God's justice brings, righteousness, peace, joy. God said that he always responds to faithfulness.. as described here: Luke 18: 7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
Stuff just doesnt happen because we wish it would. We are in constant spiritual war. Prayer is an assault on enemy territory. They dont just say ...ok fine. They resist. Jesus said resist right back. Paul (I think) said 'Hold fast to that which is good'.
The kingdom of God suffers violence... and the violent take it by force. Daniel took it by force.
For example God heard and responded immediately to Daniel. He kept his word that the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails. He does the same with everyone every time.
The key to success was Daniel's unwavering faith til he got what he asked for. Daniel exercised faith. In this case, through his persistence in fasting. Faith without works (evidence) is dead. Faith requires more than lip service. Abraham exercised his faith through his tithe... he put his money where his mouth was.
Daniel exercised faith through his fast which apparently can be a very powerful expression of faith ... (These only come out by prayer and fasting)
Daniel 10: Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14"Now I have come to give you an understanding...
_________________ But our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20
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