We are just finishing up the book of Daniel in our ladies Bible study. It has been heavy, lighthearted, troubling, comforting, down right scary, and full of joy all at the same time. We have learned what it looks like to live a life resolved to honor the one true God. We have looked at much prophecy that has already been fulfilled, and then much that is yet to come. Through the entire study our loving Father has been so faithful to show us ways that His truths are applicable to our lives even today!
I was so very hesitant when I first believed the Lord was leading me to teach through Daniel. There are so many wonderful studies already out there by brilliant men and women of God, and in all honesty we probably would have learned so much more had we gone that route. However, I truly believe the Lord led, so we followed. He blessed our obedience!
He was faithful to give us a small nugget each week that would propel us into the next week. By far, one of my favorites, and honestly my new verse for this current season of my life, is from chapter 8. This chapter was full of some heavy prophecy...troubling to read now in our moment in time, much less being the one to receive the vision! Afterward, Daniel was overcome, and according to verse 27 he was even appalled. He was perplexed and did not understand, even though Gabriel had just taken the time to explain. You're probably wondering why in the world a verse about Daniel being appalled would be my new favorite. Here's where he and I connect...
The entire verse states, "And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and
went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did
not understand it." (ESV). I love how the NIV translates it, "I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up
and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it
was beyond understanding." Daniel was slap worn out...exhausted. Overcome to the point where he had to walk over to his bed and lay down. I wonder if I'm the only one that can crawl up in the middle of this verse and sit there a while? I'm certain that I am not!
Here's the beauty in it though...Daniel indeed took a few days to lay exhausted, but he didn't stay there! He didn't allow the overwhelming truth of his circumstances to take him out of where God had called him. He took a moment, exhaled, and then got back up. And not only did he get up, but he went about the king's business...even though he didn't understand what had just happened.
That is my prayer...my heart cry. In the midst of my circumstances...busy, difficult, exhausting, and down right perplexing most days, I want to give myself permission to take a moment and breathe. Just don't let me "live" there! I desperately want to be a Daniel and rise up. We have a king. We are to rise up and be about His business. His name is King Jesus, and expanding His kingdom here on earth by loving others, and leading them to Him is the business that we are to be about. How have your circumstances left you exhausted, perplexed and appalled? May we encourage each other to turn our downcast days, and place our focus on the One who rose up from the grave for us so very long ago. May we be worn out, to rise up.
