I was struck by Psalm 37:34 – “Wait for the LORD and keep his way.”

When I think of following the Lord, and following his will for my life, I think of actions.  When I picture “following” something, I usually envision an action taking place.  However, sometimes the Lord asks us to wait.  And we may feel like we’re doing nothing for a long time.  In those times, I find myself feeling anxious or frustrated or restless because I feel like I need to be DOING something instead of just “sitting around.”  But…sometimes that’s exactly what God wants. He needs us to be patient and still.  We have to wait and let God do his thing. Let His will be done.

I’ve also recently become more aware with my trust issues.  And I think waiting has a lot to do with trust.  Kind of going along with the thought of feeling restless – I feel restless because it’s hard to trust that God is going to come through, that He is in fact going to end the “waiting period.”  And I guess there’s some pride in there, too. Wishing things would happen sooner because (to me) that’s obviously the better way for it to happen.

But no… as David says, “keep [the LORD's] way.”  Not mine.

After reading Daniel 10:19, I wondered what it might be like to be standing before God, and hearing him speak to me.  If God were right here in my room right now telling me “Be strong”, I bet I would feel pretty darn strengthened and encouraged.

But I think I get too wrapped up in wishing God was physically here with me, that I forget that he actually is still here with me.  He is alive in me, and just because I can’t physically see him, doesn’t make him any less present.

“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.”(Dan 9:9)

It’s truly amazing how merciful God is… I think about my own life and how many times I’ve messed up, sinned, rebelled, etc.  And then I think about every other person in this world – past, present, future – and how God has forgiven us all!  And he continues to forgive!  His mercy is new every morning.  Praise God!

I wonder if the same one that destroyed the king in Daniel’s vision (Dan 8:25), was the one who also made him strong in the first place (Dan 8:24).

All of these visions and dreams are starting to overwhelm me a little…  I assume they’re all to show God’s power and ultimate judgment on those who choose to worship other gods.  Man…I can’t imagine what Daniel must have gone through trying to interpret all these dreams. It’s no wonder he “lay ill for several days” (Dan 8:27).

“The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.” (Dan 7:25)

A lot of my Perspectives homework this week reflected on how part of the gospel of the Kingdom is God’s victory over sin and Satan in order to bring people out of darkness and into his saving light. Satan is the god of this world, but soon “his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.” (Dan 7:26)  Praise the Lord!!!  We can have hope that one day Satan, sin and death will be completely destroyed!!

Man! Talk about God getting some glory!  I don’t think Daniel 6:16 was a statement of sarcasm; King Darius was pretty aware that Daniel was different from everyone else, and that his God was an almighty God, even BEFORE Daniel ever entered the lion’s den!

I love the image of the king not being able to sleep at night (Dan 6:18).  I wonder how many times people know the truth and yet still deny it.  I bet they experience sleepless nights like this the king did!

“You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand.  But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” (Dan 5:23)

Two things I love about this verse…

1) The first part reminds me of how incredibly personal and relational our God is.  Unlike these gods of silver and gold, our God does see and hear and understand. We have a relationship with him.  He’s not just a statue; He’s a living God who speaks to us and who listens to us and is in relationship with us.

2) I always love the image of God holding us in His hand. To me, it depicts his comfort and protection, and it also kind of reminds me that He is in control.

It’s interesting to me how King Nebuchadnezzar seems to trust Daniel, and probably believed his interpretation of the dream, and yet he still didn’t repent right away. (Dan 4:28-33)  It’s convicting to think of the many times when the “right thing” to do is so clear, and yet my pride and stubbornness keep me from accepting it or doing it.  Man, how much pain and heartache would I be spared if only I’d always listen to the Lord from the very beginning!

“But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan 3:18)

Such faith… I love how they make it clear that even if it ends in death, they will never stop loving and worshipping the one true God. I bet that was crazy for King Nebuchadnezzar to hear that would rather willingly DIE than to worship his god and his gold statue!

I love how Daniel is quick to give glory to God. When he is taken to the king to interpret his dream, his first words are:

“No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Dan 2:27-28)

He could have just interpreted the dream as if it was out of his own wisdom, but instead he is sure to say that it is only by God that he has this wisdom and power.

I hope that in times when it’s tempting to let myself be praised for something I’ve said or done, that I am quick to praise the One who gives me wisdom and knowledge.