In the summer of 2018, there was an incredible ordeal concerning the Thai soccer team fiasco. On June 23rd, 12 young men and their coach went on a cave exploration in celebration of one of the kid’s birthday. Unfortunately, heavy floods blocked off their escape, leaving them stranded and isolated. I can’t begin to try and imagine what kind of stress and anxiety was experienced in this moment of trial. Perhaps the feeling of inability was one of the most frustrating and antagonizing realities this team faced while trapped in the cave. They knew that they, by themselves, could never escape.
If you’re like me, frustration becomes a product when you know you can’t solve a problem. The first seven chapters of the book of Daniel offer a great solution to our conundrum. There is a certain Hebrew word (“ykl” or “to be able”) that occurs over and over, all within significant events of the book. Follow this thread with me:
Daniel 2:10 “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand”
Daniel 2:27 “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show the king the mystery”
Daniel 2:47 “You have been able to reveal this mystery”
Daniel 3:17 “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us”
Daniel 3:29 “There is no other God who is able to rescue in this way”
Daniel 4:18 “But you are able for the spirit of the holy God is in you”
Daniel 4:37 “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble”
Daniel 5:16 “But I have heard that you can give interpretations”
Daniel 5:16 “Now if you can read the writing and make known to me”
Daniel 6:4 “They could find no ground for complaint or any fault”
Daniel 6:20 “Has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Daniel 7:21 “The saints prevailed over them”
The main point pertaining these verses is the fact that man has a great inability and disadvantage when God is not involved. Add God to the equation and you can expect great things. It may not be on your timetable, and it’s probably not how you would expect, but the fact still remains that God is able. I do not know what your hypothetical cave is, but the feeling of entrapment is certainly familiar to many. In order to seek a path of escape, God must always be included. If you have thought to yourself, “I just can’t,” then you may be right. But you couldn’t be more wrong in saying “God can’t.”
-From Tyler King
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