DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 28 September 2023
TOPIC: God’s Secrets
TEXT: Daniel 12:5-13 (KJV)
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
KEY VERSE
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
(Daniel 12:8,9)
DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 28 September 2023 MESSAGE
Writing by divine inspiration, David stated that “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him…” (Psalm 25:14). Years later, Apostle Paul would easily relate to this truth when he shared the story of how he was shown the picture of heaven, but told to keep the vision a secret. Here in our reading today is Daniel equally witnessing a scene he was not empowered to fully comprehend or record.
In the vision, Daniel saw three personalities. Two were angels standing on each side of the river and “the man clothed in linen” standing upon the waters! One angel asked the man clothed in linen how long the end of “the wonders” would be. In answer, the man solemnly lifted up his hands to heaven and declared that “it shall be for a time, times, and a half” (three and a half years). Daniel did not understand the precise meaning of the statement and asked for further clarification. He was forbidden to inquire further but was assured that true believers would laugh last.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday 27 September 2023 – One World, Two Destinies
The Lord works in ways beyond human comprehension. Sometimes, He keeps things away from people like He did to Elisha when the son of the woman of Shunem died. At other times, He reveals His plans to individuals, as He did to Joseph when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. Whatever He chooses to do is in order because “secret things belong unto the LORD” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
We are in the last days and the complexity of the world today demands wisdom and an analytical mind to help in decision-making. God knows what we need most in such critical times of our lives, and He wants to grant us access to the right information, to know how to act. Our duty then is to trust Him sufficiently to guide us each day on what to do and things to avoid. We must also learn to wait on Him patiently without cutting corners.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God’s secrets are reserved for His saints.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ecclesiastes 4-7
