Daniel 7:1- 28 (emphasis on verse 21, 25 & 26)

” I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times and the dividing of time; But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end” (KJV)

Before I get to the thrust of what I want to share, let’s first clear with the class teacher’s desk: it is distraction and not destruction. In my ‘gospels’, there is something I call, the mystery of priority or the principle of “first things – first”. For instance; leaving your offering on the altar to go and settle offenses first; seeking the kingdom first; removing the plank in your own eye first before trying to sort your neighbour’s speck; giving yourself first before giving your substance, and the list goes on! (Matthew 5: 23-24, 6:33, 7: 3-4, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8:5)

According to the interpretations of Daniel’s dreams concerning the present day unfolding events, kingdoms/systems and subsequent apostasy, the Spirit of God would have me point out a few needful things. One of the areas the enemy would love to ride upon in these last days, is having the saints distracted. This will be so much evident that many saints will seem overpowered and some will totally lose track.

The church and the nations at large must be on the look out for this spirit because it has seemingly infiltrated the household of faith. But the good news is, the church will finally carry the day.

For us to succeed, if not survive any form of distraction, we must chose to be consistent, focused, committed and faithful to that one particular course as well as keep, maintain and master the rules of our game (Proverbs 29:18, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

As a nation; we have just returned home from such a vicious battle in the circles of placing and assembling a government to man our gates. There is clearly more need to pray the process through. History has it that many sports men and women were disqualified on account of either breaking the rules or not pressing through to the finishing line. We must be up to the task ( 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:13-14).

Distraction will in one way or the other breed delay, derailment, stagnation and rotating in endless circles, slowing of speed and all manner of confusion.

The church cannot remain to be known for just praying.

The church must refocus and recapture her vision points (1 Corinthians 10:12) and not be ignorant whatsoever, of the devil’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). We will need to establish such a strong spiritual – territorial governing force along side the ruling government of the land.

Let me put it this way; the church cannot remain to be known for just praying. I think it’s high time she was consulted for Godly wisdom on some national issues. But who is the church? Who is being entrusted to speak on her behalf? Whom shall I send and who will go for us? (Isaiah 6: 8).

It is not enough to have a sitting President who is born again and a committed Christian; it is not enough to have delegations of Pastors at the state house and at the National prayer breakfasts – and I hope this time there will be more prayer than the distracting breakfast itself?

Well, back to Daniel; One of the areas that need attention and close monitoring, lest the devil hits us below the belt, is in the times/seasons and the law ( Daniel 7:25). The enemy will seek to alter or make changes in those two and to endeavour to ‘gradually’ ( a time, times and half a time) wear out the saints and overpower them. We must be deliberate on laws touching marriage and family for instance; laws concerning human rights, and those relating to religion. We must not invite any conversations that will erode or take from our morality in the pretext of our International relations/friendship and interests. Let us keep our values even as times are fast changing. We cannot afford to be distracted from the original statutes that promote the fear of God.

The Bible thus recommends a specific posture and eye position, if anyone will successfully avoid being distracted. Moses had to turn to see the sight of the burning bush. God complained of the Israelites stiff neckedness (inability to turn and being unteachable) as one of the reasons why He couldn’t accompany them (Exodus 3:1-4, Exodus 33:1-3).

First, to be undistracted, you must not look back! Jesus said then, you will not be fit for God’s kingdom agenda. In fact in one of the New Testament’s shortest and most precise verses, He simply warns, “remember Lot’s wife!”( Luke 9:62, Luke 17:32). Looking back speaks of getting stuck in the mud of history – especially our negative past. God admonishes through the Prophet Isaiah that we must not remember or even consider the former things but be strong enough to see into the new that He is doing (Isaiah 43:18-19). We cannot afford, as a nation, to still be divided on our political persuasions. We must forgive each other and heal so as to embrace the new path that God has in store for this beautiful country

Secondly, we must not look to the right or to the left. The circumstances surrounding us must not stop us from achieving our goals and vision. God told Joshua not to turn ‘sideways’ if he was to accomplish his God given assignment (Joshua 1:7). The Peter churches, nations and organizations will always get vulnerable and be treated to a ‘sinking’ experience whether spirituality, socially or economically, the moment they loose focus and get preoccupied with their prevailing circumstances (Matthew 14:22-32)
The next level will demand that one is not taken aback by their current currents/winds. Refuse to be limited by anything around. As a country we can accomplish more if we will harness rather than be harassed by the vices and voices of our environment.

Lastly, we must not look down! According to your Sunday school, only God is up but Satan is down. Looking down is a sign of defeat. It is a kin to low self esteem. It is neighbouring to fear. It is a fallen countenance. The psalmist did not mince his words when he cried out, ” You’re a shield for me, my glory and lifter of my head”. God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake upon which anyone who looked would be safe from the ones on the ground. Church, lift your heads, your redemption is drawing near! Kenya, this is your time – do not look down on yourself. God has called you and raised you at such a time to use you as a springboard of revival in Africa and the nations of the earth! (Psalm 3:3, Numbers 21:8-9, John 3:14, Luke 21:28).

Therefore; we are only permitted to look up and look forward!
When Moses came to the red sea and there was no way through, and no point of returning, the voice from above instructed him to command the people to move forward! The book of Hebrews is notorious for the “Looking unto Jesus” verse; the Author and Finisher of our faith! Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem and nothing could distract him. In fact Peter only landed a harsh rebuke and “Satan” for his new name, when he tried to distract the master. No wonder, perhaps after learning his lesson, Peter decides to follow through to see the end ( Exodus 14:13-14, Hebrews 12:1-2, Luke 9:51, Isaiah 50:7, Matthew 26:58).

The kind of victory that we are about to obtain, is not a splash in the frying pan! It is not a case of “where has this one come from?” It is as a result of commitment, faithfulness and following through. I am talking about the known Joshua’s; the Elisha’s and David’s who have been around and have been keen to appropriate every opportunity to serve their Moses, Elijah and Saul.

Do not let anything, and I mean anything, distract you, not even the World Cup, lest you be found unawares! (Luke 21:34-36, Hebrews 10:35 -39).