Today's Scripture Reading (November 8, 2026): Daniel 10
Laurence Olivier once described life as
consisting of "strife and torment, disappointment and love and sacrifice,
golden sunsets and black storms." Daniel probably would have agreed with
the esteemed actor's words. His life seemed to include all of those elements.
Daniel did not live a life of privilege. Life had begun with his forced removal
from his home. And now it ends with the knowledge that he will most likely
never see home again.
We aren't told why Daniel was mourning. We do
have a few educated guesses. One possibility is that this mourning was an
extension of his reaction to what God had shown him, hidden in the distant
future. But this isn't our only candidate. Another reason for Daniel's
depression could be that, while the return to Judah had begun, the children of
the exiles, those born and raised in Babylon, were not making the most of their
chance to return home. The reason was clear. Life in Babylon was familiar,
established, and comfortable. For those who chose to return to Judah, life
would be none of these things. Going home meant enduring hardships as the
returning exiles began rebuilding Jerusalem and the surrounding area. For
Daniel, those challenges didn't matter because Judah was home.
Another reason for the prophet's mourning
might have been that Daniel himself was omitted from the list of those
returning home. By this time, Daniel would have been in his mid-eighties, and
those overseeing the return likely wanted him to remain in Babylon to intercede
with the government on behalf of the returning exiles. Deep down, Daniel knew
they were right. The best place for Daniel to serve his home was in Babylon or
Persia. As much as he wanted to go home, the returning remnant needed him as a
trusted contact with those who ruled the area.
Sometimes, life works that way. A myth says
that when we serve God, life is somehow easy and we get everything our hearts
desire. Daniel proves this isn't always true. Sometimes we have to sacrifice
what we want for what is best for those around us as we move forward in God's
strength.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Daniel 11
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