Go Your Way
August 23 | Rick Thiemke
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Daniel 12:4-13
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
Daniel ends in a surprising way. After twelve chapters of kings and kingdoms, dreams and visions, beasts and angels, deliverance and suffering, Daniel still has questions. He wants to know how it all fits together. He wants to know how long the suffering will continue. He wants to know what will happen next.
The answer he receives is not nearly as complete as he would like.
Daniel hears that a time of suffering will continue, but that God has placed limits around it (verses 6-7). Daniel responds with remarkable honesty: “I heard, but I did not understand” (verse 8). So he asks again, “What shall be the outcome of these things?” (verse 8).
God does not give Daniel a detailed explanation. Instead, Daniel is told, “Go your way” (verse 9).
You Don't Have to Understand Everything to Trust God
Daniel has spent his life trusting God in circumstances he could not control. Now, near the end of his life, he discovers that there are also things he will never completely understand.
We know that feeling. How long will this last? Why did God allow this? What will happen to someone I love? Where is our world headed? When will things finally change?
Daniel reminds us that faith does not require having all the answers. God has revealed enough for us to know who holds the future, even when we cannot see what that future holds.
And we have been given something Daniel had not yet seen. Daniel was told that these words were “shut up and sealed” (verse 9), but Jesus arrives announcing, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).
The connections are striking. Daniel fasts and prays; Jesus fasts and prays (Daniel 10:2-3; Matthew 4:1-2). Daniel is called “greatly loved,” and Jesus is declared God’s beloved Son (Daniel 10:11; Mark 1:11). Daniel encounters beasts, angels and spiritual opposition; Jesus enters the wilderness among wild animals, angels and Satan (Daniel 7; 10:13; Mark 1:12-13).
What Daniel saw from a distance begins coming into focus in Jesus. When we cannot understand what God is doing, we look to Jesus and trust the God revealed in him.
You Can Faithfully Live the Life God Has Given You
Daniel does not need to control history. He does not need to defeat Babylon or Persia. He does not even need to understand everything God has shown him. He simply needs to faithfully live the life God has given him (2 Peter 2:3).
That has been the invitation of Daniel from the beginning. Live faithfully in Babylon because Babylon does not get the last word. Pray when others stop praying. Refuse the idols. Love and serve your neighbors. Seek God's Kingdom. Remain faithful when faithfulness seems costly. Trust God with outcomes you cannot control.
And then comes the beautiful final promise: “You shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days” (verse 13).
Daniel's story ends with resurrection hope and so does ours.
You do not have to know what comes next to faithfully take the next step. Trust the King. Live faithfully. Go your way. One day, you will rest. And because of Jesus, you will stand.
Discussion Questions
What is something you do not understand right now that God may be inviting you to trust Him with, rather than figure out?
How does looking to Jesus help you trust God when you cannot see or understand what He is doing?
What is one faithful next step God may be inviting you to take as you “go your way” this week?