Daniel 11 Devotional

The Appointed Time Holds

“With flattery he will corrupt those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”Daniel 11:32 (BSB)

Daniel 11 is crowded with detail. Kings of the North and the South rise and fall, form alliances and break them, marry off daughters, win battles, and lose everything (11:2-20). Christians have understood parts of it differently. But one theme keeps returning: the end arrives when God has appointed it (11:27, 11:35). Kings lie to each other at the same table, and none of it moves the time God has fixed.

In the middle of the turmoil, a despicable ruler rages against the holy covenant, desecrates the temple, and corrupts many with flattery (11:21-32). Yet those who know their God hold their ground (11:32). Some of the wise will fall by sword and flame, and the chapter says plainly that their suffering refines and purifies them (11:33-35). The proud king who exalts himself above every god finally meets his end with no one to help him (11:36, 11:45). Faithfulness under pressure grows out of knowing God, and out of knowing that every proud power has an end he has already set.

To think about: How might knowing God more deeply help you stand firm under the pressures you are facing?