Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash
As I’ve been preaching through the book of Daniel, I’ve been struck by the struggles Daniel has and doesn’t have.
He doesn’t seem to struggle with confidence and courage in following God’s call on his life. When faced with praying to God or worshiping a false god (the king), he chooses God. Was it difficult for him? Maybe, but we aren’t told.
In the second half of Daniel, we encounter a switch in how Daniel writes. The first half is a narrative, the story of Daniel’s life, but the second half is apocalyptic. Apocalyptic means “revelation,” so it is a revealing of something.
Often, apocalyptic carries a sense of doom but also a promise of God’s presence and power. It is two sides of the same coin.
Daniel comes to God in Daniel 7 with a question: why does evil prosper? Why are there mighty kings who are against God and His people?
We have the same question.
Why is my life so hard when I’m only trying to please God? Why do I have cancer? Why do I suffer when those around me who want nothing to do with God have an easy go of it?
Why am I not progressing the way I want to in my career, marriage, or parenting? Why can’t my finances come together, but that person at work who cuts corners gets promoted and things his way?
God’s answer to Daniel is simple: Yes, evil exists and prospers but not forever.
This is comforting and hard all at the same time.
God gives Daniel a dream of 4 beasts, a throne engulfed in flames which the Ancient of Days sits on, and the son of man (which we know from the gospels is Jesus).
Many historians debate who the beasts are and which kingdoms they represent. We know they are kings and prosper in wealth, destroying people and nations, but they eventually disappear, and someone else takes their place.
This is the reality and comfort God gives Daniel.
When we come to God, asking why things are difficult or struggling to trust Him with today, tomorrow, and the day after, He often doesn’t provide us the answer we want.
He gives us Himself.
That’s what He did for Daniel.
What is easy to overlook is verse 2, where we are told the beasts come out of the sea after the winds of the heavens stir the sea.
God tells Daniel in multiple places in chapter 7 that yes, evil exists, and yes, it is difficult and challenging.
But I am there. I am here.
That is the power and hope of God’s presence.
