Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Chapter 12 "Darkness Before Deliverance" - based on Daniel 11:36 - 12:13

"As for you, go your way until the end.  You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you."  Daniel 12:13

Congratulations!!!  We've made it to the end of the book of Daniel.  How are you feeling?  I have mixed feelings about the book and about this final chapter.  I'm not sure I got all I could out of this study and hope to be able to study it again.  Perhaps a different study guide, definitely during a different time in my life, would help me better consider and absorb all the amazing parts of Daniel's life.

For now, let's look at these final passages, Daniel 11:36 - 12:13.  Once again, a terrifying depiction of the future, with Daniel confused and asking questions.  Personally, I love that Daniel is always at a loss when he has these visions or receives these messages.  Before reading the book for myself, I always had the impression that Daniel was very comfortable with his visions; I thought he fully understood the visions and messages he received.  But, over and over again, Daniel admits to not understanding, he asks questions, he wants clarification, just like the rest of us.   While God gave him the ability to interpret the dreams of the current king, Daniel's personal visions were perplexing to him.  He had many virtuous qualities, was far more faithful than I can ever hope to be, yet at the same time, his story shows that he was authentic, a real person, holding onto his faith, humbling himself before the Lord, and doing what God asked of him.

I would love to know your feelings as we come to the end of Daniel.  Hop over to the blog (if you're reading this in your e-mail) and leave your comments, click here.

I have a feeling this is one of those things that I don't quite "get" the first time through, but it will stick with me, roll around in my head, come back to me at odd times, and come around again for me to study and ponder.

Thank you for taking this strange & mystical journey through the book of Daniel with me.

This will be the last post for a while, as I move into a busy spring and summer.  I hope you have a wonderful few months!  And I look forward to resuming our conversation in September.  In the meantime, feel free to comment on a post at any time; I'll see it and will do my best to respond.

Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24




Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Chapter 11 - A World Out of Control Daniel 10:1 - 11:35

"'Don't be afraid,' he said, 'for you are deeply loved by God.  Be at peace; take heart and be strong!'" Daniel 10:19

AMEN!  This is my favorite verse from our reading this week.  Could there be any better message for us to hear?  Especially when our current world so closely resembles Daniel's, a world out of control; a world of turmoil, conflict, warring nations, invading armies, and clashing religions.  That can make any mortal fearful, apparently even Daniel.  If it can send Daniel into mourning, what hope do we have?

Chapter 10 through chapter 11, verse 35 is quite the history lesson, at least for us.  For Daniel it was a glimpse into the future, and not a very nice future at that.  It's all about invading kings & conquering armies.    But in the midst of this powerful vision of a scary future, the messenger tells Daniel, "Don't be afraid for you are deeply loved by God.  Be at peace; take heart and be strong." 

As we read the prediction of the future (Daniel's time) and we know that those things happened, what does that mean for us?  Can we really process it?  Can we understand it fully?  Even if we can't, how can we live our lives to reflect that we believe that God has a plan for the nations of the Earth?

Even though the vision is a little difficult to follow, with all the 'king of the North and king of the South' back and forth, I actually liked it.  But, I like history and when it lines up with Bible stories that's twice as nice.  I pictured this as a story told with shadow puppets.  Perhaps it was the wording in my NLT translation or the mystery of telling the future, but I pictured the story in silhouette as I read.  How did it appear to you?

For all the angel sightings, future telling, and kingdom invading that happens in this chapter, I still go back to Daniel 10:19.  That is my take away, from this chapter and perhaps from this book.  So many amazing & wondrous things occur in this book about a servant & prophet of God, but I think this is what I'll hold on to: "Don't be afraid for you are deeply loved by God.  Be at peace; take heart and be strong!" 


Pop over to the blog (www.reonlineblog.blogspot.com) and share your "take away" from this chapter.

Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
warrior

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24