Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Kings and kingdoms of earth play king of the hill, Persia and Greece, Syria and Egypt, until one alone stands on top, and that “king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods” (Daniel 11:36). He thinks he won, because he only knows what he knows and supposes that is all there is. And Daniel prays because he knows there is more.
As Daniel prays, God answers and opens his eyes to see things unseen, “and behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees” (Daniel 10:10). While our kingdoms battle, heaven wars. An unnamed angel explains to Daniel, “I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come” (Daniel 10:20). This angel of heaven unveils the unseen but very real battle against spiritual princes of darkness behind our fleshly kingdoms, “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Daniel engages in the otherworldly battle, as well, when he drops to his knees and prays.
We think we are in charge, except God gives Daniel an amazing play-by-play description of world events. “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come” (Daniel 10:12-14). God knows what will happen ahead of time, because God does as he wills, and we only think we do.
Daily Prayer
Righteous God, the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Who was, Who is, and Who is to come, You are sovereign over all things. How much better I get along each day when I remember this. This is Your world, so I shouldn’t be surprised that life works when I live according to Your ways.
May I confidently live knowing You are on the throne and will be forever, that nothing on earth can touch my eternity in You. May I make choices based on knowing You, reflecting Your character, serving others instead of self, loving truth and promoting righteousness, giving grace and forgiving others, and humbly recognizing that You forgave me first.
Amen
Daily Question
What events do you see in this world that remind you that God is in charge?