Daniel 8:26-27

Daniel 8:26-27(ESV): “26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” 27 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.”

There are things that occur in this life that can make us question what God is up to. However, we must not let our lack of understanding overshadow what we know: God is good, and His plan is perfect. End of story.

Daniel had another vision about Babylon being overtaken by the Medes and Persians (the ram), and they, in turn, being overtaken by the Greeks (the goat). The goat had a great horn between its eyes, representing the first king of Greece, Alexander the Great. His horn would break and be replaced by four horns, symbolizing the four generals who divided his kingdom after his death. From these four a king arise—probably Antiochus Epiphanes—and he would persecute the Jews, and desecrate the Temple. Upon seeing this, Daniel became sick, but he was told to “seal up” the vision, for it was for a later time.

Have you ever encountered things in life that made you question the goodness of God? We must not allow our human understanding of what is to come to cloud our vision of who God is. He is a loving and merciful Father, but He is also righteous and just. His plan might not make sense to us, but we must not allow our lack of understanding to create doubt in our hearts. God knows what He is doing—and that should be good enough for us. Amen?

Father, we thank You for being such a wonderful and loving God. We don’t pretend to understand Your ways, but help us not to let that cloud our hearts. You know best, and we will rest in what we do know. Protect us from doubting, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.