Community & Discipleship

Daniel and His Vision Pt. (2) (Daniel 10:1~12:13)

2016.08.21Stephen Cha

Daniel's vision calls God's people to bear God's burden through tears and prayer, to trust God as the sovereign Lord of history, and to live as salt and light until Christ returns and brings all things to an end.

Bear God's burden with a heart that weeps for his people (vv. 1-3)

Daniel mourned for three weeks while others feasted at Passover, because the return from exile had stalled. Few had gone back to Jerusalem, and opposition had halted the work on the temple and the wall. His grief did not end in silence; it became prayer, and God sent a messenger to tell him that his prayer had been heard. God's work often moves through tears and intercession rather than eloquence or ability. We are called to let our hearts be broken by the things that break the heart of God, and to pray and intercede for others.

God is sovereign over history, so we can trust him in confusion (vv. 3)

Chapter 11 reads almost like a history book, recording how Alexander the Great rose and how his kingdom was divided into four after his untimely death. Such detail shows that God is not merely able to predict the future but is sovereign over history. He raised up Nebuchadnezzar and brought down other kings, and he protected Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions' den. The long account of the kings of the north and south centers on God pursuing and building his people. Whatever confuses us, God is the one at work, unfolding his purpose.

Christ's coming will end history, and God remains faithful to us

Looking back, we see God's hand, and we testify that he has proved himself faithful in our needs. Looking forward, we see God's promise, because the one who is faithful will remain with us and prove himself again. The message of Revelation is that God wins and brings everything to an end. Daniel 12 tells us that Jesus will come, that the dead will be raised, and that all things will be finished at the appointed time. Because God will close history, we can face the future with confidence.

Know God deeply, then shine as salt and light before becoming stars

Billy Graham once said that if he could do it over, he would spend less time preaching and more time studying the Word and praying. Daniel 11:32 says that people who know their God shall stand firm and help many to understand. Before we shine like stars that lead many to righteousness, we must first know God deeply. We are called to be salt, living Christ's life where God has placed us, and light, so that others see our good works. At the end of life, let us not regret the things we never did, such as sharing Jesus or going out to serve.

Apply to Life

  • Let us bear God's burden for people, pray for them, and intercede until God answers.
  • Let us trust God as the Lord of history when the world and our lives seem confusing.
  • Let us come to know God deeply through his Word and prayer so that we stand firm in trials.
  • Let us go out as salt and light where God has placed us, serving others and sharing Jesus.
  • Let us consecrate ourselves to God and resolve to live as Daniel did, wherever God has placed us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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