A Man Set Apart: Daniel 12 (Daily Devo)
You are about to finish the book of Daniel as a family. How does it feel? I’m sure some of you have had some mixed emotions about why we went through the book of Daniel as a family in the first place. Couldn’t we have gone through something a little easier to understand? Sure, two of the bible’s most memorable stories are found in the book of Daniel with the fiery furnace and Daniel’s three friends, and Daniel getting thrown into a den of lions. But the prophecies were some pretty tough reading, especially for those with very young kids.
Just last week, as I opened to Daniel 11 after dinner and saw that it was another prophetic writing, I quickly turned, in seeking comfort and ease, to the Psalms. Maybe here I can find something a little easier to explain, I thought to myself. But then the Lord convicted me. Is his word lacking? I thought again to myself. Are there parts of Scripture better than another? No! His word is truth...all of it. I turned back to Daniel 11 and started reading for my family out of faith and obedience. I got to the end of the section, not knowing what it meant, lifted my hands to my family and said, “Well, that’s that. I don’t understand what’s going on here, but I am thankful that God does. He knows everything, even the end from the beginning.” Then we prayed and sang.
Discipleship is not easy, nor comfortable. His word is not easy to grasp or explain at times. But what is fundamental of our faith is the one we have faith in. I asked my daughter, who’s three, if she knew what the passage was about. She said, “A plant!” I laughed but to my surprise she was right.
And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail (Daniel 11:7 ESV).
This verse, I know, is about more than just a plant, but she’s listening, and the Lord is working on her through his word, even with the difficult passages, and for that I am thankful.
John Rogers attends Connection Community Church (C3) in Rowlett. John serves as the Children's and Family Pastor and as an elder. John and his wife Chassidy are passionate about teaching good doctrine and stumbling along side parents to make disciples of children. They have two children: Sophia and Josiah.
Day 1: Daniel 12:1-2
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
- A: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (bold words for younger children)
READ:
[1] “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. [2] And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. - Daniel 12:1-2 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: At the end shall be great trouble. But what will happen to God’s people? What book are they talking about? (ref. Rev. 20:15) What will happen to those who are not God’s people?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you for everlasting life that we get simply through faith in Jesus Christ.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: Daniel 12:3-4
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
- A: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (bold words for younger children)
READ:
[3] And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. [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.” - Daniel 12:3-4 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Many will run around looking for knowledge, but we know where to find wisdom. Where does wisdom come from?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you, God, for being our source of wisdom and understanding. Thank you for your word that imparts wisdom to the simple.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: Daniel 12:5-7
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
- A: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (bold words for younger children)
READ:
[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. - Daniel 12:5-7 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Is there a limit to this trouble in the last days?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you that everything is coming to an end and we, as Christians, will get to spend eternity with you.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: Daniel 12:8-10
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
- A: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (bold words for younger children)
READ:
[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. - Daniel 12:8-10 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Many will make themselves white. How? How will they be refined?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for making us white and refining us.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: Daniel 8:18-27
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
- A: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (bold words for younger children)
READ:
[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 12:11-13 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: God knows everything and has everything planned out to the very day. How does that make you feel?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you that you are in charge of everything, down to the very day.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
