Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (NRSV)
Read Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. Verse 10A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. Verse 13As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. Verse 14To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.
Devotion
These verses follow Daniel’s description of a dream that sounds as though it was induced by a late-night meatball sandwich. But knowing Daniel’s eating habits from his days in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, we know the beasts in his dream had nothing to do with spicy marinara. They had everything to do with the powerful kingdoms of the day that held God’s people captive and threatened their existence. Into a world filled with very real powers that threatened to destroy the Israelites comes the assurance that God is firmly in control and God’s dominion is everlasting.
This assurance is just as important for us today. There are very real, pressing issues that emerge in our lives and our world, like the beasts in Daniel’s dream. For as loud as they howl and fiercely bare their teeth, we have a God who has defeated those powers and reigns supreme.
Prayer
Ancient of Days, with the thousands upon thousands who surround your throne, we join in praising you. Even in the midst of adversity, may we find comfort that you reign forever and ever. Amen.