Go about your business

Daniel 12:13

As for you, go your way till the end.  You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.  NIV

This is the very last verse in the book of Daniel.

Daniel has been shown the future, in fact, he has seen the end of the world as we know it.  Throughout chapter 12, he asks when the things that he has seen will come to pass.  He isn’t given an answer that he can understand, which must have been pretty frustrating.

Then, this verse, “And you?  Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.” MSG

So, that’s it.  God has a plan and it will all play out in His perfect time.

I’m not to worry or to fret about what is to come … I should be aware of the things that He has planned, but, not live my life looking for them, or anticipating them, or, above all worrying about them.

Instead, I should go about my business, focusing my energies on the here and now … looking for ways to love God and to love others as He intended.

That’s what I’ll think about today.

He will give you strength

Daniel 10:19

“Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said.  “Peace!  Be strong now, be strong.”  When he spoke to me I was strengthened and said, “Speak my lord, since you have given me strength.” NIV

As I work my way through the listings of the word, “fear” in my King James concordance, this is the next appearance of the phrase, “fear not.”

This verse is in the same chapter as one that I looked at a few days ago.  I’m back in the story of Daniel.  Daniel has been fasting and praying for three weeks, and, in response to his prayers, a vision has appeared.  The vision tells Daniel in verse 14, “I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future.” NIV

I have always loved science fiction.  I own all the episodes of the original Star Trek on DVD (they came in cute plastic boxes that look like tricorders). Sometimes on rainy or snowy days, my husband and I will watch several episodes in a row.  I love that so many things from that show that seemed so far out of reach are now commonplace … microwaves, cell phones.  I still find myself wishing for a transporter at times.

But, as much as I have always enjoyed dreaming about the future, and as much time as I have spent worrying about my own, I don’t think I would really want to know it.  Last night, on the news, it was reported that scientists are very close to perfecting a test of your spinal fluid that will accurately predict whether you will develop Alzheimer’s Disease.  I would not want to know that.  I don’t think I could handle information about the future as gracefully as Joseph did when, for instance, he knew the drought was coming.  I’m meant to live my life moment by moment … I don’t really want to know what’s coming next.

Daniel, too is overwhelmed.  In verse 16, Daniel says, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless.” NIV

The response is fascinating to me.  The Message translates it, “Don’t be afraid, friend.  Peace. Everything is going to be all right.   Take courage.  Be strong.” MSG

God had a message for Daniel.  He had a purpose for Daniel’s life.  Daniel was to write his story and the story of his vision so that we would have it today to use as a roadmap.  As intimidating as the task was for Daniel, he did not have to accomplish it alone.  God was with him, reassuring him, bolstering him, preparing him for the tasks that were ahead.

As I face a future of uncertainty, that same God is there.  He is the Alpha — He was there at the very beginning; and the Omega — He will be there until the very end.  I can step into this day — whatever it will hold — and into the rest of my life with confidence.  The confidence  that is borne of being truly loved by the Master of the Universe.  The One who gives me strength.

That’s what I will think about today.

He will respond in His perfect time

Daniel 10:12

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain an understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” NIV

This verse is so interesting to me.

It speaks to God’s timing, which often differs from mine.

Daniel has been mourning, fasting and praying for three weeks. When the vision (a messenger from God) arrives, he notes that Daniel has been heard from the very beginning, “But I was waylaid,” the vision says in verse 13.

He was heard from the beginning … but the response did not come immediately.

I only have one sibling, and there are many years between us.  I’m the oldest, so, for many years, I was an only child.  My parents did their best not to spoil me, but, I believe that I must have at times been quite demanding, because a popular phrase in our house was, “Contrary to popular opinion, little girl, the world DOES NOT revolve around you.”

But, my world DID revolve around me, and, sometimes, I’m still guilty of having that perspective, especially when it comes to my relationship to God.  How many times have I found myself in a complete mess and on my knees asking God to swiftly intervene and clean it up for me?  God is not a genie in a bottle, and I am most certainly not Major Nelson.  And, look how great that turned out.  Every time Jeannie wiggled her nose to grant one of Major Nelson’s requests, something disastrous happened.  Major Nelson didn’t have the whole picture … his world — in fact the whole show — revolved around him … his house, his job, his friends.

God is running the universe.  And, at the same time, He knows me perfectly and loves me completely.  But, He has the whole picture.  I don’t.  He hears me, but, when my requests run contrary to, or are ahead of, His plan … they will not be granted … at least not in the timeframe that I desire them — which is always NOW … preferably 10 minutes ago.

It is so comforting to read this verse … to read what I already have always known … God hears my prayers.  He will respond.

In His perfect time.

That’s what I’ll think about today.