“…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Dan 11:32b
Daniel 11:32b tells us that, if we know God, we shall do exploits, or great and mighty feats. So by now you may be thinking, “Well, I know God. But I haven’t done great and mighty feats. God, where are the exploits?” Let’s look at that verse a little closer and see if we can find the exploits we desire to see.
First, it says the people who know their God are the ones who will do the exploits. To know God you must first be a born again child of the most high God. But even beyond that, to do exploits, you need to know the heart of God. You need to recognize that it is God’s will for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). You need to realize that it is His will for you and others to prosper and be in health (3 John 1:2). You need to know the heart of God.
OK, you are a child of God and you believe the scriptures that demonstrate God’s great love for us. I see your foot tapping and your mind saying, “still not seeing exploits.” So, let’s look at the second part of the verse, “shall be strong, and do exploits.” We, as people who know God, are to be strong and do exploits. No, we are not strong in and of ourselves. We do not have the ability in our own strength. Jesus made it clear that without Him we can do nothing. John 15:5 states, “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.” Any strength we have comes from Him. Notice that to bring forth fruit, or to do feats, we must abide in Him. If you live with someone you get to know them, don’t you? Abiding takes it to a whole other level. We are to live in constant contact and association with Him. Sounds like knowing to me. And this knowing provides the strength.
Let’s look at 2 Timothy 1:7 to see the power, or strength, available to us: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Here the word “power” comes from the Greek word “dunamis” which Strong’s Concordance tells us refers specifically to “miraculous power.” Whoa! We have this dunamis, or miracle working power, available to us. So, if we have the ability to do miraculous works, there must be something more hindering us.
What else does that verse say that God has given us? Love. God’s kind of love. Here the Greek word is “agape” which includes affection or benevolence. It is hard for man to fathom that kind of love. It is the kind of love that gives (1 John 3:16). God loved us so much He gave His only begotten son. How much more could He give? We are admonished to do the same: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1Jn 3:16). We are to act on that love.’
Could we really love that much? Yes! Assuredly, yes! Just as we do not have the strength in ourselves, but we do have the dunamis through Him, God gives us the love as well. Romans 5:5b assures us “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” It is the “agape” love of God that causes us to have compassion towards those in need. It motivates us to lay down our lives. It attunes us to the love of the Father towards those in need.
So, if we know God, we have the miracle working power available to us, and we have the love of God to motivate us, why are we still not doing those exploits? Our scripture verse has served us well so far. Let’s look at the remaining part: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”(2 Timothy 1:7) The phrase “sound mind” comes from the Greek word “sophronismos” which refers to discipline and self-control. Now, when we hear those words we think in terms of keeping our flesh under control. And they certainly do imply that. But notice that controlling your flesh can mean both restraining it from doing evil and encouraging it to do good. It is not all one-sided. God gave us the ability to decide what we will and will not do. No, that does not mean you can just decide to go to your local hospital and raise the dead or heal the patients. But if God prompts you to do something, say lay hands on the person in line at the grocery store, you choose whether you will act on that leading or not.
God will lead you to good works. He will prompt you to step out in the miraculous. He will provide the power to do great feats. He gives us the love to motivate us. And finally, He gives us the choice to act on that prompt, to release that power, to demonstrate that love. Remember, that we are the body of Christ in the earth (1 Corinth. 12:27). He will use our feet to take Him places, our hands to deliver His power, our voices to speak His Word to meet the needs of others.
If you are not seeing the exploits of God, it is not because you do not have the motivation or ability. Usually it is lack of knowledge of that ability, or fear of looking foolish. Notice the first part of the verse tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear.” Fear, or in this case “timidity,” occurs when you are unsure of something. God is telling us that we do not have to be unsure. We do not have to be afraid. He has given us what we need. Know Him and His heart. Know that you do have what it takes to step out in the miraculous. God gave you the power, the love, and the choice. What will you do with it?
Dr. Belinda Bailey received her Ph.D. in Theology from Life Christian University in 1998. She loves God and trusts in the great love He has for us. Because of this, she has seen many miracles in her own life and in the lives of others. We are admonished in Matt 10:8b, “freely ye have received, freely give.” Belinda desires to share her testimony and the light of the Gospel through these blog posts.
