TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 4:1-19
My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! - Daniel 4:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
Owen and Mzee are the best of friends . . . and the oddest of couples. Owen is a baby hippo, rescued from tsunami waters by rangers in Kenya. Mzee is a tortoise over 100 years old, living in the wildlife preserve where Owen was brought to safety. Traumatized by the loss of his mother, the 300-pound toddler found Mzee to be a more than suitable surrogate, following the tortoise every second of the day. He even shows aggression whenever a possible threat approaches Mzee, the same reaction other baby hippos would show on their mothers' behalf.

Daniel, too, was displaced from his home at a young age. And he showed a surprising affection for an even less likely individual. Daniel had great compassion for Nebuchadnezzar, the very man responsible for his abduction and the exile of his people.

Our one significant glimpse of Daniel's emotional bond to his king is preceded by Nebuchadnezzar's account of another dream. Once again he asked his wise men for help interpreting the vision, and again his servants were unable to do so. And again Daniel was the last man the king asked for help. This might indicate interpreting dreams occurred regularly in the royal court, and Daniel may have been called in only for the toughest assignments.

The dream itself is strange in that it begins with a description of a magnificent tree followed by a heavenly proclamation to have the tree cut down, but the voice from heaven goes on to speak of the “tree” as if it were a man. The latter portion of the dream doesn't seem at all mysterious, clearly spelling out that whoever this tree was meant to symbolize, he was about to lose his mind. It's possible that the wise men had a pretty good idea what the dream meant but were afraid to tell the king.

The dream upset Daniel, and the king knew it. The idea that his king was about to suffer such a humiliating affliction evoked compassion and sympathy in Daniel. Daniel didn't just obey and serve Nebuchadnezzar, he loved him as well.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This world has no shortage of people who are hard to love, and oftentimes authority figures in our lives fit that description quite well. Today, move beyond evaluating your outward behavior toward your superiors. Examine the attitude of your heart. If you are harboring resentment or disdain for an employer, pastor, or government leader, ask God to soften your heart. Don't just submit to people in authority; God will help you find it in your heart to love them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 4:20-27
Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice. - Daniel 4:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
Wilhelm II of Germany was boasting to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands about the strength of his army during World War I. He arrogantly said to the Queen, “Our guardsmen are seven feet tall.” Unimpressed, her majesty replied, “But when we open our dikes, the waters are ten feet deep.”

Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, but he wasn't invincible. Throughout the book of Daniel, he showed a remarkable sensitivity to the messages God had been sending him. He bowed to the God of Daniel after his first dream was interpreted. He praised the God Most High when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego escaped the fiery furnace. But he had still not completely submitted to the Lord. He seemed to recognize that the Lord reigned supreme over all other gods, but he stopped short of declaring God supreme over his own heart.

Daniel was given the unenviable task of telling the king to change his ways. He confronted Nebuchadnezzar for his sin and wickedness, pleading with him to acknowledge God and avoid the humiliation that was prophesied in his dream. It was a bold move on Daniel's part, moving beyond an interpretation of the dream and venturing to advise the king how he should behave. Even though the dream included hope that Nebuchadnezzar would regain his kingdom, Daniel wanted to give the king the opportunity to escape judgment.

But there is no evidence that the king heeded his warning. Nebuchadnezzar needed more than words to convince him. After his dream in chapter 2, he wanted the wise men to prove their worth by describing the dream without being told. God used Daniel to do it. At the fiery furnace, only a miracle could cause him to rescind his decree that his statue should be worshiped. God used Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to do it. So when Daniel pled with Nebuchadnezzar to change, that change would only happen when God used Nebuchadnezzar himself to do it. He was a man who had to see to believe, even if it meant living outside and chewing on grass for seven years. He was about to become insane with pride.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes, nothing you can say will change another person's mind—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't say anything. If you know someone who has to learn about sin the hard way, don't let that stop you from lovingly confronting them. Even if it takes years and years, your words can have an effect long after you speak them. Also, let the Lord scour your heart for any traces of stubborn sin. If you're unwilling to change, you can't expect anyone else to budge, either.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 4:28-33
The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. - Daniel 4:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
There was no lack of evidence that Daniel Sickles, a congressman, had murdered Philip Key, whose father penned the U.S. national anthem. The motive was clear. He had no alibi. The murder weapon was Sickles's gun. There were no other suspects. Even his own attorney didn't deny that Sickles was indeed the killer. Nevertheless, Daniel Sickles was set free. He became the first American ever acquitted under the plea of temporary insanity.

For Nebuchadnezzar, temporary insanity wasn't the defense, it was the verdict. It came twelve months later as the king was uttering an unbridled speech of self-praise. And as quickly as he could say, “by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty,” his kingdom, his glory, and his might were all stripped from him (v. 30). Unfortunately, he was unable to appreciate the irony of his words as his sanity was gone, too.

Boanthropy is the modern name for a mental disorder that makes people so ill that they literally behave like cows. That's a pretty accurate description of Nebuchadnezzar's symptoms. The Bible doesn't give us the specifics of what happened to Nebuchadnezzar in relation to his kingdom, only that he was “driven away from people” (v. 33). Whether his high commanders knew of his whereabouts or he wandered off into obscurity, Nebuchadnezzar no longer controlled his kingdom. We do know the constitutional bylaws of Babylon to know that God was preparing Nebuchadnezzar's heart for a thorough reformation.

The resplendent king let his hair and nails grow uncut for seven years. His diet was high in fiber but low in pride. The architect of the hanging gardens of Babylon was hanging around like a common animal. With a mind out of his own control, Nebuchadnezzar was forced to endure a degrading existence for seven years. God didn't need to raise up another mighty kingdom to humble this king. The downfall of Nebuchadnezzar began inside his own head.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It appears that Nebuchadnezzar was enjoying a private moment when he uttered his famous last words that launched his bout with insanity. That should help us dispel the notion that with privacy comes immunity. It's easy to put on a public act of humility only to let pride swell in our hearts and self-praise flourish in our minds. Replace those attitudes with worship for God. Keep your thoughts focused on Christ, and praise Him in your quiet moments.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 4:33-37
Everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. - Daniel 4:37
TODAY IN THE WORD
Muhammad Ali was one of the most prolific boxers in history, and his verbal jabs packed plenty of punch as well. Some called him larger than life. He called himself “the greatest.” But his battle with Parkinson's disease dealt the outspoken star a near knockout blow. After coping with the humbling disease, he has learned many lessons, saying, “God gave me this illness to remind me that I'm not Number One. He is!”

Nebuchadnezzar had lost control of his mind for seven years, plenty of time for him to learn his lesson. Although he was certifiably insane, that doesn't mean he wasn't aware of his situation. The tone of his praise to God seems to indicate that he had been tormented by the state of madness his pride had caused, and he had fully repented of his wicked ways.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of radical shifts. In chapter 3 he went from cursing Daniel's friends to increasing their power and praising God. In this chapter he was chewing on grass and mooing like a cow one moment and delivering the most eloquent speech of praise to God the next. And the amazing thing about his words of praise is the state from which he delivered them. He hadn't been around people for seven years, so his outburst of worship must have been based on what he had learned about God from Daniel.

For Nebuchadnezzar, the story had a happy ending. He was returned to power, even greater than ever. He praised and worshiped God with a sincerity beyond any he had ever shown. His word choice in the final verse of this chapter is very interesting. In the past, Nebuchadnezzar had called attention to the power of God, but in this passage, he focused on other characteristics of God. He stressed the goodness and justice of God, and then he worshiped Him for His ability to make a proud heart humble. Seven years prior, Nebuchadnezzar would never have appreciated those attributes of our Lord. Chapter 4 is our last impression of Nebuchadnezzar, and humility and love for righteousness is a great way to be remembered.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you love God's justice? When is the last time you praised God for being right in all His ways or for humbling you? When we sin, God's righteousness can be painful; when we suffer the consequences, His justice can be humiliating. But when God exposes our sin and disciplines us, He draws us closer to Him. And being close to Him is wonderful because He is so good. Praise Him for His righteousness today, even if it means confessing your most embarrassing sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 5:1-16
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. - Proverbs 15:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Shakespeare's Henry V, people doubted young Henry's ability to rule after his father passed away. Whereas his father had been revered and loved, the son was known for carousing with less than regal company. The son, though, revealed that his irresponsibility was just an act to lower the expectations that the elite would set for him—Henry planned to surprise his detractors and display true leadership when the time was right.

If that was King Belshazzar's plan, he miscalculated. He showed up in the Bible just long enough to have his doom foretold and executed. He bore no evidence that the faith of King Nebuchadnezzar had been passed down through the generations. Daniel doesn't record the transition from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar, but most historians agree that eventually Nabonidus was on the throne. His duties took him away from Babylon, leaving Belshazzar his son to rule in his absence. Belshazzar himself is hardly a scratch on the tablets of Babylonian history, and the writing on the wall explained why. Belshazzar desecrated the temple articles (v. 3). He worshiped false gods (v. 4). He was scared half to death by a mysterious writing hand (v. 6). When he begins calling out for his wise men to decipher the writing, you might feel like you're experiencing déjà vu. Clearly, Daniel was not in the business of self-promotion, because he always ended up being the last wise man to be asked to interpret anything.

Not surprisingly, the wise men had yet to lay claim to competence, and Daniel was once again summoned to save the day. It's no shock that Daniel was not in attendance at the drunken feast, but the fact that the king had to be informed of Daniel's existence testifies to the king's outlandish folly. Daniel's proficiency in wisdom must have been known and celebrated throughout the land, no matter how long it had been since his interpretations of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. Finally, the acting king was seeking his counsel and offering him the highest position of leadership he had the authority to give. But Daniel was about to inform him that his authority would soon run out.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel's status probably declined in the kingdom after Nebuchadnezzar died. But when he was called, Daniel was ready to speak for God. We should remember that faithfulness to God doesn't always result in earthly reward. The path of God's will might lead you out of the spotlight and into the trenches. On the other hand, riches, fame, and comfort aren't strong indicators of righteousness. Whether all eyes are on you or you feel like an unknown, prepare your heart to do His will.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 5:17-28
You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. - Daniel 5:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
The great English reformer and Bible translator William Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake for his actions of faith. After a long imprisonment and despite the diligent efforts of his friends to get him released, Tyndale's strongest desire was actually not for freedom or mercy. He likely could have been freed had he merely denounced his claims of faith. His last moment was spent pleading, not on his behalf, but for the heart of the king and the spread of God's Word. With his final breath, he said, “Lord, open the king of England's eyes.”

Daniel's response to the king was not intended to earn himself glory or power. He didn't candy coat the message of the writing on the wall to ease Belshazzar's fears or temper his reaction. He said he didn't want the king's gifts. And before he translated the writing on the wall, Daniel gave the king a thorough explanation of why the writing had come in the first place. He recounted Nebuchadnezzar's great power and his seven-year lesson in humility. He even criticized Belshazzar's failure to learn from the lessons of the past and his foolhardy drunken offenses against God.

When he finally read and translated the message, the tone didn't get any cheerier. Belshazzar's days were numbered. He had been weighed and found wanting. His kingdom was destined for the Medes and Persians. Again, this is one of those messages that the wise men were not likely to have translated for the king, even if they could. The king was already filled with fear and anxiety. Informing him that he was on the way out doesn't seem to be the best way to advance your career. But Daniel didn't fear the consequences of telling the king the truth. He spoke for God without flinching, and he confronted the most powerful man in the world at that moment. He had no reason to fear. Daniel knew that the most powerful king still rested in the palm of God's hand, and he made sure the king knew that, too.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Most of us aren't slow to react when someone offends us—when we get cut off in traffic, it might be second nature to honk the horn in protest. But we don't always react that way when someone offends God. We should switch our priorities around today. Keep an eye out for attitudes and actions that blatantly defy God's glory. But don't start with your local politicians or your boss. The first place to look for sinful pride that offends God is in your own heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 5:29-31
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain. - Daniel 5:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
aseball pitchers aren't usually known for their power hitting, and Gaylord Perry wasn't really known for power of any kind. He was a junk-ball pitcher and a downright awful hitter, so no one doubted his prediction early in his career when he said, “They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run.” He was right. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the surface of the moon. A few hours later, Gaylord Perry hit the only home run of his career, fulfilling one of the best-timed predictions in sports.

Daniel's prediction about the demise of Belshazzar's kingdom didn't take long to come true either. But first, Daniel received yet another reward for faithfully delivering the message of God. It was ironic that he would receive such an extravagant bonus considering that he asked not to receive it (v. 17) and the substance of his prediction was judgment against the king. When Israel's kings were issued God's judgment, they lashed out at the prophets. In Babylon, however, the respect for prophets must have been exceedingly great. Daniel was awarded the highest available spot in the kingdom.

But Daniel's prediction came about too quickly for his promotion to make much difference. The very night that Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall, the forces of Darius took Babylon and executed the king. The biblical record of Darius the Mede differs from other historical documents that identify no such name, instead naming Cyrus the Persian as the leader who overtook Babylon. It's possible that Darius was either a ruler who served under Cyrus or even another name for Cyrus himself.

For Israel, the rule of Cyrus opened the door for the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Daniel never returned to his homeland, but he upheld the faith across a seventy-year span of exile and testing. His courageous moral stands kept his own integrity intact and brought glory to the name of God and His people in an otherwise pagan kingdom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel seemed to be the lone voice of faith in a decadent kingdom. He was outnumbered but never marginalized.

That is a crucial lesson for believers in today's world. We may not be able to sway the beliefs of an entire nation, but by boldly living out our faith, we can bring attention to God's name. Direct your steps according to God's ways, and His glory will be made known.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 6:1-4
Now Daniel so distinguished himself . . . that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. - Daniel 6:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
At 88 years old, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes had distinguished himself as a Supreme Court justice who could not be swayed by party lines, political pressure, or even his fellow justices. A reporter conducting man-on-the-street interviews about the venerable Holmes, nicknamed “The Great Dissenter,” got an interesting response from a construction worker. He said, “Oh, sure! He's the young judge on the Supreme Court that's always disagreeing with the old guys.”

The early chapters of Daniel contain so many great stories of courage and drama that it's easy to lose sight of how much time has passed since Daniel was first abducted by Babylonian forces. As we begin the beloved story of Daniel in the lions' den, we need to remember that he wasn't a scrapping young man from Israel anymore. By the time Darius took over, Daniel was probably in his eighties. As wise as Daniel was as a teenager, how astute must he have been at eighty!

Clearly, Darius caught on to Daniel's value, appointing him as one of three rulers over all his other administrators and even eyeing him for a position over the entire kingdom (v. 3). Daniel wasn't just a great man of faith; he was an all-around great man. He had always stood out from the other wise men in the kingdom, and Darius noticed. As he had done so many times before, Daniel proved his worth to his king and was rewarded for it. With reward, though, came the downside: envy.

It's one thing to impress the king with your abilities, but it's an even bigger feat to show absolutely no weaknesses to your enemies. That's what Daniel was able to do, frustrating his jealous colleagues to no end. The king appreciated Daniel's flawless performance, but the petty administrators couldn't hide their true selfish colors. They found Daniel to be upstanding, trustworthy, and competent, and decided that was a bad thing. So the plotting began. Some people can't appreciate good qualities in others, especially if power is at stake.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Is there any question that God can do a better job leading than we can? But so often we fight for control of our own lives, searching for excuses about why we can't follow God's plan. Commit in your heart today to give God authority over your whole life. Desires in your sinful nature will try desperately to gain control, but ask God to suppress and conquer them. He is a better ruler than we could ever hope to be!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 6:5-9
O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered. - Daniel 6:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
Several infamously silly laws decree that in one city it is illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp. In another town it is supposedly against the law to walk down Main Street with a lunchbox. It seems pretty clear that these laws are written because one person's behavior makes waves in a community. There's no fundamental precept being violated by parking a giraffe, so banning it requires some pretty creative lawmaking.

That was the approach of Daniel's enemies within the leadership of Darius's kingdom. They knew there was nothing wrong with anything he did, so they attacked Daniel at his most devoted point: his God. They knew from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that in a conflict between the king's law and God's law, Daniel would choose God every time.

So they approached Darius with a wicked proposal, and they followed the anatomy of a con game perfectly. It began with an outright lie. They claimed that all the royal leaders agreed on a new edict, when the king's top official obviously had not been consulted. How many of the leaders actually agreed to this edict, we don't know, but they sold the king the falsehood of universal acceptance.

The next part of their plan catered to the king's ego, a vulnerable spot for any leader. To an ancient king, a law requiring worship of only yourself doesn't sound so bad. The proposal served only to boost his own image without achieving any other purpose, and that should have alerted the king to the futility of the decree. He was blinded by pride, though, opening himself to the final and most dangerous part of the deception.

The leaders eliminated the escape clause. They suggested that the king make the law irrevocable. Why would the king need to restrict himself? If he were truly worthy of worship, he wouldn't have let his subjects tell him how to write his own laws. But there was no turning back. He found nothing wrong with the suggested law, and he put the foolish edict into writing.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Deceptions like these aren't unique to the ancient world. Individuals and businesses are constantly looking for ways to take advantage of people who are easily fooled. Always be on the lookout for offers that mirror the proposal in today's reading. Verify the facts and read all the fine print. Be especially wary of offers that aim to boost your own ego. We tend to open ourselves to be tricked when we divert glory to ourselves that belongs to God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 6:10-18
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God. - Daniel 6:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Prayer is one of the pillars of Islamic faith, a practice required of devout Muslims five times a day. One of the particular details to be observed is that prayers should be offered while kneeling and facing the direction of the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a practice some scholars believe is done in imitation of Daniel's method of prayer toward Jerusalem recorded in today's reading.

No one knows for sure where Daniel learned this practice. Praying toward Jerusalem and praying three times a day aren't specifically mandated anywhere in the Old Testament, although the general idea is alluded to in passages like 1 Kings 8:44. The point is that Daniel didn't allow the faith of his homeland to dissolve. Rather than being influenced by the foreign rituals practiced all around him, Daniel influenced his culture by displaying faith worthy of imitation.

We all know that Daniel didn't let the decree stop his faithful prayers to God, but how he went about it deserves a closer look. If a modern-day ban on prayer were issued, we might expect demonstrations, rallies, and protests from throughout the church. Daniel didn't wage a publicity war. The first thing he did was pray. And we have two clues about the content of his prayer.

First, the text specifically mentions that Daniel thanked God (v. 10). He didn't complain to God. He thanked Him just like he always did. Secondly, verse 11 states that the men who had plotted against Daniel found him asking for God's help. The verses that follow show precisely why Daniel needed God's help. He was cast into the lions' den for breaking the king's new law, even though the king himself regretted having to do so.

The evil schemers' trick had worked. Ironically for Daniel, obeying God was exactly what the wicked men were hoping he would do. The king was forced by his own foolishness to place his seal of approval on the stone covering the den. But he came close to violating his own decree and praying to God for Daniel's rescue (v. 16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel asked for help before he was in danger. That's a valuable lesson for us, especially if we tend to pray only in the difficult times of our lives. Establishing a prayer routine doesn't make our prayer any less genuine or heartfelt. Consider devoting as much time to praying as you do to eating. Instead of a quick prayer at the table, find a quiet place for half an hour. Do it before you come face-to-face with the lions in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 6:19-28
For he is the living God and he endures forever. - Daniel 6:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
Wan Zainab Wan Abdullah was sitting on the beach in Penang, Malaysia, with her family when the first wave of the tsunami rushed toward her. Her home was destroyed, but her family was spared. The unique thing about her survival was that she didn't consider the tsunami to be the worst tragedy she had ever experienced. She realized the terrible horror the flood waters caused, but being 115 years old, Wan Zainab was much better acquainted with suffering than the average person. She rated the World War II occupation of her hometown by Japanese forces as a more painful ordeal.

For most people, even most believers, being trapped in a lions' den would have been terrifying. But Daniel had been around the block of faith more than just about anyone, so he was probably the least surprised person on the scene when the king demanded that the den of lions be opened.

The king's faith was mixed. He called out to Daniel expecting a response, but the anguish in his voice revealed a lingering doubt in his heart. Daniel answered with his trademark wisdom and praise for God. Daniel's critics may have thought that God hadn't saved him and that the lions simply weren't hungry. If so, they were about to find out just how wrong they were. They were severely punished for their wicked manipulation of the king and their conspiracy against Daniel.

The king immediately drafted a new decree that was far different than his last. His praise for God is an amazing tribute to Daniel's faith. How many of Israel's kings failed to show such inspired allegiance to the living God? But the steadfast devotion of one man was enough to turn the hearts of foreign kings to proclaim the praises of the God of Israel. God's people may have been in exile, but God's glory could not be suppressed by any kingdom.

And God rewarded Daniel for his faithfulness. In yet another regime, Daniel was able to prosper because he allowed God to work through him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We have a God who has seen it all; how easily we forget that. He isn't caught off guard when politicians draft self-serving laws. He isn't surprised by tragedy or shaken by trouble. He can close the mouths of lions and change the hearts of kings. And think about it: all Daniel did in this story was pray. God was glorified, the king praised His name, the wicked were judged, and Daniel prayed. Cast aside your worries with a prayer today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 7:1-28
I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts. - Daniel 7:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Modern scientists and psychologists have found great value in the study of dreams. Some counselors have been able to help their patients deal with the most troubling problems by talking through their dreams. One such process, called “lucid dreaming,” requires a patient to realize he or she is dreaming without waking up. By becoming aware that a dream is taking place, a patient can uncover the source of their subconscious worries.

Daniel was a dream expert if ever there was one. Chronologically, this dream took place in between chapters 4 and 5. But the revelations of his dream were not the fruit of his subconscious; they were the prophecies of God, and they were more than even Daniel could neatly interpret. That's important for us to remember as we strive to understand these next few chapters of Daniel. If the dream was troubling to Daniel, we can't hope to know it without much prayer and guidance from the Lord.

We can, however, simplify two major themes that emerge from Daniel's dream about the powers that rule over the earth. The first is that the kingdoms of man are temporary and will ultimately be replaced by the divinely designed kingdom of Christ, a kingdom that will never be destroyed (v. 27). If we learn nothing else from this chapter, the unshakable sovereignty of God is a wonderful lesson and a good place to start. The creatures used to symbolize kingdoms are no match for the glorious Ancient of Days.

The other theme is that the establishment of Christ's kingdom is not a gentle transition. Daniel was troubled and disturbed by the images he saw (v. 15). Even concluding the matter with God's everlasting kingdom and eternal obedience to Him, Daniel still felt very deeply troubled (v. 28). His heart must have been broken by seeing several ages worth of evil and wicked rebellion against God. Daniel probably witnessed unspeakable acts of evil and unthinkable suffering in the forecast that is recorded in verses 24 through 26 alone. It was too much for Daniel's mind to process, and it was just the beginning of what God had to show him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A solid understanding of these prophecies requires much more than a few minutes of study. To get an adequate grasp of the content of Daniel 7-12, consider reading a few different commentaries on the subject, and talk to your pastor about your interest. Throughout your study, remember to maintain a heart of humility, because the details can be difficult to grasp and many a proud heart has been carried away by the fascinating endeavor of trying to look into the future.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 8:1-27
He will be destroyed, but not by human power. - Daniel 8:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Hurricane Charlie was part of a violent series of hurricanes that ripped across the coastal southeastern United States in 2004, but one part of the destruction that the storm left behind added a bit of perspective to the people of Florida. A billboard advertising a video game was almost completely stripped of its outer fabric, but a previous ad was left intact. Big white letters stood against the black background that read, “We need to talk—God.”

Sometimes God speaks through a still small voice, but to Daniel He used a forceful charge to get across His message. Once again, Daniel encounters an overwhelming vision. This time, however, the specifics are spelled out in greater detail.

The ram was the empire of Media and Persia. Keep in mind that at this point, the Medo-Persians had yet to take over Babylon. Prophesying their emergence as the dominant world power was no small feat. In Daniel's vision, this future empire was just a blink. They were quickly overtaken by the next power, represented by a goat. The next part of the prophecy is too much for many modern readers to accept. How could Daniel have predicted the reign of Greece, which wouldn't grow to full power under Alexander the Great's rule for another two centuries? Even more astoundingly, Daniel's dream foretold the division of Alexander's empire between four rulers after his death. The final stroke of predictive perfection is the description to the day of the length of the tyrannical oppression of Antiochus Epiphanes over the Jews in the second century b.c. For people of faith, however, the precise accuracy of Daniel's predictions demonstrates the unquestionable validity of the key messages and themes of the book.

The prophecies in this chapter are among the most important of the Old Testament, as they helped construct the framework of expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Daniel may have been exhausted, sickened, and disheartened by what he saw, but restoration, hope, and true redemption would ultimately win out through the blessed gift of Jesus Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Being God's messenger can oftentimes be a difficult proposition. Even when Daniel was overwhelmed in his private moments, he was still strong enough to perform the duties God required of him. You might be called to witness to people resistant to the gospel or minister in places where evil has caused unbelievable pain. This chapter is a stark reminder that comfort doesn't always come with the territory of obedience. Take heart, because Christ gives us peace that passes understanding!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 9:1-27
O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! - Daniel 9:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
An editor once suggested that Oscar Wilde make some significant changes to one of his plays, but the outspoken and vain playwright had no intentions of following his advice. Wilde replied, “Who am I to tamper with a masterpiece?”

Success breeds conceit in many people, sometimes to the point that they believe they are flawless. That's what makes Daniel's prayer so refreshing. Nothing we have read so far about Daniel seems to indicate the slightest evidence of sin in his heart. He seems to be flawless. But Daniel confessed, putting himself on the same level with the rest of God's people. He praised God's righteousness and confessed to turning away from it. As great a man as Daniel was, he wasn't perfect . . . but once again we see him doing exactly the right thing by admitting his faults and acknowledging his part in Israel's sinfulness.

Daniel prayed with the knowledge that the seventy years Jeremiah described were coming to a close, and He asked for God's mercy and for restoration for His people. It didn't take long for Daniel to hear an answer straight from heaven.

Gabriel laid out a to-do list of God's ultimate plan for His people: finishing sin, defeating sin, paying the price for sin, initiating everlasting righteousness, confirming prophecy, and anointing the Holy One. He also provided the timeline, a stretch of seventy weeks, frequently interpreted to represent seventy seven-year weeks, a total of 490 years. The first seven weeks (49 years) would begin with the decree to rebuild the temple, which was probably issued very close to the time of Daniel's vision (see Ezra 1). The next 62 weeks (434 years) aren't described in detail, but verse 26 tells us what happens after they are completed. It appears to point to the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem. The final week in the prophecy is described separately from the rest and is referred to as the Great Tribulation. The details aren't easy to understand, but the end is clear: the Evil One will be destroyed (v. 27).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel assumed responsibility not only for his own sin but for the sins of his people as well. We see here three things to imitate. First, be quick to admit your guilt in comparison to God's glory. Second, instead of looking down on the weaknesses of others, confess to God the sin of your family, church, community, and country. Finally, acknowledge that Christ alone has the power to overcome sin and praise Him for doing so!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 10:1-11:1
Peace! Be strong now; be strong. - Daniel 10:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some of the most widely believed urban legends tell of superhuman strength in times of crisis—a mother lifting a car to save her baby, or a child moving a tree trunk to rescue his father. The theory is that adrenaline can trigger potentially unlimited power in even the weakest people if the situation is dangerous enough.

Who would have imagined that an answer to prayer could be such a situation, so terrifying that Daniel needed superhuman strength to cope with it? Daniel saw a vision of one who, it is safe to assume, was an angel of God, and he said he was coming in response to Daniel's plea for understanding (v. 12). Now, if humankind could choose one representative from all of history who was strong, wise, and godly enough to receive a message from God, Daniel would be on the short list of candidates. But even he was overcome by the vision. It was only by the strength transferred by the angel's touch that Daniel was able to stand and listen (v. 19).

The message itself is enough to send a tingle of fear through our hearts. The angel says that he fought for twenty-one days against the Prince of the Persian kingdom. This is probably not a reference to a human prince (v. 12). Coupled with the idea that Michael is Daniel's or Israel's prince (v. 21), we get the idea that angels both godly and fallen rule over nations—or at least protect them—in the spiritual realm.

Even more chilling is the thought that such battles are not instantly won by the armies of God. It took this angel twenty-one days to get past the opposition and into Daniel's presence, and he was headed to rejoin the fight after he delivered his message. There's no indication of a guaranteed victory for this angel, as it seems that his place in the fight was to be filled by the angel of Greece (v. 20). The forces of the enemy are real and formidable, and they wage war against the armies of God. We should surely thank God continually for His protection and love for His people!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel's vision is proof of two things: angelic wars transpire that are of great importance to humankind, and angels can respond to the prayers of one person. In light of these facts, never underestimate the importance of your prayer. Even though you can't see the spiritual battles being fought, you can engage in the action with prayer. Ask God to send reinforcements to help His people; He can and will answer that prayer!