August 6, 2026 - Daniel 1-6

Reading the prophet Daniel takes me back to January 2010, when I taught the book in Manado.  That was a good week, with Donna there and, also, Dan and Menda Sue Hatfield.  I remember that I encountered a lot of dispensational theology, which led to some really interesting conversations with my students.  Surveys of the OT always point out the focus of the book of Daniel on God’s providential rule over history.  Everything reported in the book just seems to scream, “God is in charge!” – The taking of Daniel to Babylon and his rise to prominence there, the giving of dreams and Daniel’s interpretation of them, the deliverance of Daniel from the fiery furnace, the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar, the handwriting on the wall in Belshazzar’s day, the lion’s den, and the visions of coming events. 

At every point the hand of God is seen.  He is working his purposes, and he is able to direct the prophet to the future and what he will do in coming days.  It’s good to know that our God neither sleeps nor slumbers, but from his throne on high, he rules with power and wisdom and righteousness.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,

join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.

Let the Amen sound from his people again;

gladly forever adore him.   -- Joachim Neander (1680)