Today’s Reading: Daniel 11-12; Psalm 129
In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. – Daniel 10:1-2
Daniel’s visions spoke of what would happen in the near future and also what would happen at the end of time. Daniel’s vision spoke of a long battle between the king of the north and the king of the south — how each would plot against each other and attempt to deceive each other. With Israel positioned between the two nations, the wrath of the battle will be poured out against the people of the holy covenant. The king of the north will reward those who forsake the covenant, flattering and winning them over.
But the people who KNOW their God will be strong and will resist him. – Daniel 11:32
THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD WILL BE STRONG AND ABLE TO RESIST THEIR OPPRESSOR!
Praise God! The God who draws us into a personal relationship with Him strengthens us through that relationship. It is our connection, our intimacy with God that gives us the strength to resist evil. And it is the experience of facing a battle with evil that changes us. It refines us, cleanses us and makes us pure.
And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. – Daniel 11:35
Praise God! He does not leave us alone during difficult times. He does not ask us to do something by ourselves, of our own strength. He is with us. His angels are defending us. He is strengthening us for that to which he has called us. Then he allows the difficult times to refine us, and to make us clean and pure before Him.
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:11
I am so thankful this morning that our God gives us strength. I have prayed a lot this year for strength and peace, and God has been faithful. This year would have been a lot more difficult if I had not felt that connection with God. I pray that God will use today’s verses to encourage you whether you are going through persecution, temptation, or difficulties.
God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. – Psalm 68:35
God revealed to Daniel what was happening in the spiritual realms, unseen in the earthly realm. What a gift to see beyond our current reality. There is a spiritual battle taking place on behalf of God’s people, and God has commissioned His archangels to fight the battles. It is difficult for us to understand and comprehend the descriptive visions, just as it was difficult for Daniel. Theologians disagree on the meaning of these last three chapters of Daniel, but in this passage we can hear God saying – I will fight the battle; I will be victorious! (Daniel 10:13-14, 20-21).
At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. – Daniel 12:1-3
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me.
Let all Israel repeat this:
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me,
but they have never defeated me.
My back is covered with cuts,
as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.
But the Lord is good;
he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly. — Psalm 129:1-4
LIFE IS HARD BUT THE LORD IS GOOD! LET US PRAISE THE LORD TOGETHER!
The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. And they said,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,
the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power
and have begun to reign.
The nations were filled with wrath,
but now the time of your wrath has come.” – Revelation 11:16-18a