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
The image of God as a white-haired ancient seated on his throne amid the clouds is a popular one, so familiar that it has become a cliché - a cartoon.
But it is not the God I know. That one is loving, kind, merciful and patient. There is no sign of the stern and distant visage that Daniel sees, eyes flashing at every sin. Rather, I see a face full of sadness, longing to hold me when I err, wanting to guide me when I rebel, wanting to forgive me when I sin. The pain in God’s eyes is there because I do rebel and sin.
Yet, that very sadness brings joy, for it has resulted in God’s gift of forgiveness, for me and potentially for all people. Our sin is wiped away by the suffering of Christ on the cross; God incarnate, his children reconciled to God by that great sacrifice.
Prayer
Heavenly Lord, thank you for your gift of Jesus, and the forgiveness he brings to me. Amen.