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
Had any interesting dreams lately? Daniel had his share. Maybe they were more like nightmares. Daniel's dreams were disturbing and confusing. He knew God was trying to tell him something, and it left him feeling shaken and concerned about what was to come.
What do we do when God's words to us are like that -- when we're not sure what God is trying to say to us, or, worse, when we know exactly what God is saying and we don't like it? One temptation is to ignore them altogether. Another is to put the best spin possible on them. Another, to imagine that they don't really apply to us ... they're meant for someone else.
But when God's words are confusing or disconcerting, we should follow Daniel's lead: Never stop asking God for direction and clarity. And, trust that God might be speaking in this way for a reason.
Prayer
God of shouts and whispers, teach us to listen when you speak, and to trust that your words are meant for us. Amen.