Daniel 12: 13
“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
Daniel was a young man when he was taken as a captive to Babylon during the first siege of King Nebuchadnezzar. We do not know the specifics of Daniel’s background. Which family he belonged to? Which tribe of Israel? We can only speculate that he may have come from a decent family with some education. King Nebuchadnezzar appoints Ashpenaz, his chief official to identify some young men from the captives of Judah, who belonged to the royal family or nobles, wise, endowed with intelligence and knowledge, good-looking and had the discernment, to serve in his court. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among the young men who fit the requirements. They honored God by living honorably. They were to be trained for three years in all kinds of royal duties, after which, they will enter the king’s personal service.
Daniel served faithfully in Babylon under four kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus. During the years in exile, God blessed Daniel and his friends, who entered into king’s personal service. Daniel was elevated to high position in the kingdom that even when Darius and Cyrus conquered Babylon, he was still a sought-after man. Each conquering king appointed Daniel to some high position where the kings sought Daniel’s advice. God protected him and placed him in high honor under four kings and three empires. King Darius was especially fond of Daniel and treated him like a friend.
Despite all the achievements that Daniel gained, his heart ached for Jerusalem and the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. God, in His divine providence, revealed to Daniel that He will restore Israel, the remnant will return to Judah, and rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. However, Daniel will not have the privilege to return to Jerusalem and will not see the temple and the city being rebuilt. Daniel fasted, confessed on behalf of the nation and prayed that the nation of Israel would be restored. However, Gabriel came to him and explained the decree of God. Until seventy weeks would pass, there will be no restoration. Daniel calculated and understood the time until the restoration of Israel. God, in His grace, also revealed the ultimate judgment to Daniel that would come upon the world. The visions he sees not only pertain to the near future of his time but also the distant future.
In all this, Daniel understood the magnanimity of a Sovereign God. He understood the times he was living in and came to terms with the judgment that was imposed on them. Daniel, who had such a noble desire not for himself, but for his nation, was not permitted to return to Jerusalem. Despite his high and influential position under three empires, he never used his influence to return to Jerusalem and start rebuilding. He did not take matters into his own hands but allowed God to carry out His will for His nation. Daniel recognized that a Sovereign God is righteous in all His ways. When God’s will takes precedence, life or death doesn’t matter. The cares of this world don’t matter. For the future that awaits God’s saints is much more appealing than the temporal happiness that the world offers.
Dear Saints, how many times do we get frustrated and anxious about a noble cause? How many of us are fasting, praying and waiting on God for His answer, His will to be revealed to us? Are our needs taking precedence over kingdom needs when we pray? Daniel, in the days of evil, oppression and uncertainty, he chose to stand on the side of God. He did not succumb to the pressures of the culture. His faith was in a God who was righteous and faithful in all His promises. Despite our dire circumstances, are we willing to trust in a righteous God and wait on His promises to be fulfilled or are we taking matters into our own hands and trying to help God in achieving what we want? In the process, are we surrendering to an Almighty, All-knowing God who knows our every step? If we only trust in Him, He will lead us on the path that He ordered for us.
Psalm 37: 23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 37: 3-7
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commityour way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Practical Christian Living 