Daniel 12:1-2 – Go Your Way…because Christ Delivers His People
The Lord Jesus has just told Daniel about the powerful antichrist who attacks the followers of the one true God. It would be easy for Daniel to be overcome with despair as he considers the havoc that the church will have to endure.
Yet Daniel is to be absolutely confident that God delivers his people. In v1 he is told that Michael is the servant God commissions to to this task – that raises questions, but we won’t go into those in this study. What really matters is this: whether it it through Michael, someone else, or directly by his own hand, God delivers his suffering people.
The last few chapters show us that God does not always deliver his people FROM suffering. Sometimes he does something better: he delivers them IN suffering.
Take Margaret Wilson, the 18 year old Covenanter who was tied to a stake in the sea because of her allegiance to Jesus Christ. If she was to have disavowed her faith she could have walked free, otherwise she was doomed to drown as the tide came in. Did God deliver her as he promises to do here? Some might instinctively say no; after all, he didn’t swoop down to release her from her bonds. God allowed his faithful follower to suffer and die at a tragically tender age.
Yet, while her head was still just above the water, Margaret Wilson resolved not to betray her Saviour in order to keep herself from a watery grave. Instead she quoted Scripture and professed her confidence in Jesus Christ.
What is that if it is not God’s deliverance? He enabled her to stand firm and not give up. He delivered her from the temptation to betray him. Christ kept his word in a glorious way. You may never find yourself in Margaret Wilson’s position, yet you will find yourself in trial and tempted to give up on your faith. Whether we pass through sickness, loneliness, depression or unemployment, we can “go our way” because Christ delivers us IN trial.
Questions
- Looking back on your life, can you see times when Christ has delivered you from giving up in trial?
Prayer Points
- Pray for a fellow Christian who is currently going through hardship. Pray that Christ would deliver them from the temptation to turn away.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.