Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 (NRSV)
Read Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 7In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: Verse 2I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, Verse 3and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
Verse 15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. Verse 16I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: Verse 17"As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. Verse 18But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever-forever and ever."
Devotion
It's no surprise to me that Daniel is a little shaken up after his visions. That little section our reading skips over from verses 4-14 is filled with those beasts devouring everything in their paths, spewing arrogance and one who finally comes to take over with an everlasting rule. Daniel isn’t sure what to make of this terrifying and confusion vision, so he asks an "attendant" who helps make the message clear.
Who are your "attendants"? Who helps give you a sense of clarity in your life? Who is present with you as you sort out your faith and what it means for your life? As we celebrate this holy night and the approaching All Saints Day, how can you honor those who have been and are "attendants" in your life?
Prayer
Thank you, God, for the people who have gone before me and those who stand beside me on this journey of faith. May I listen to their wisdom and hear your voice through them. Amen.