Daniel (Greek) 11:31-35: a reflection

31“Forces will stand on his part and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. Then they will set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33“Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, many days. 34Now when they fall, they will be helped with a little help; but many will join themselves to them with flatteries. 35Some of those who are wise will fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the appointed time.

In a vision of a time of great trial and persecution, when the sanctuary is profaned and the faithful suffer, one steadying word stands out: the people who know their God will be strong and take action. The people who know their God will be strong and take action, the vision says. In a time when many are corrupted and the faithful fall by sword and flame, those who truly know God are strengthened to stand firm and act faithfully. And even the falling of some of the wise is not without purpose, for it serves to refine and purify them. This shows that those who know God are strengthened to stand firm in trial, and that trials refine. Those who know God are strengthened to stand firm in trial. Knowing God gives strength to stand and act faithfully. Even the falling of the faithful serves to refine them. Knowing God steadies us in times of trial.

Notice the source of strength in the time of trial, and the purpose even in suffering. The vision describes a grievous time, when the sanctuary is profaned, many are corrupted by flattery, and the faithful suffer greatly, even falling by sword and flame. It is a dark and trying time. And yet, in the midst of it, one thing steadies: the people who know their God will be strong and take action. It is not the strong in themselves, or the clever, but those who know God, who are strengthened to stand firm and act faithfully even in such a trial. Knowing God, having a real relationship with him, is what gives strength to stand when the pressure is great. And the vision adds another steadying truth: that even the falling of some of the wise serves a purpose, to refine, purify, and make them white. Even the sufferings of the faithful are not without meaning; God uses them to refine his people. This encourages us in our own trials. When trials and pressures come, even severe ones, those who know God are strengthened to stand firm; and even our sufferings can serve God's refining purpose. We do well, then, to know God deeply, so that we may be strengthened to stand in trial, and to trust that even our sufferings are used by God to refine us. Those who know God are strengthened to stand firm in trial. Knowing God deeply steadies us when pressure is great. Even the sufferings of the faithful serve God's refining purpose. Know God deeply, that you may stand firm in trial.

That is worth taking to heart, for those who know God are strengthened to stand firm in trial, and even the sufferings of the faithful serve God's refining purpose, as the vision promises that the people who know their God will be strong and act. We can feel unable to stand when trials and pressures come; but the vision promises that those who know God will be strong and take action, and that even the falling of the faithful serves to refine them. Knowing God steadies us. Know God deeply, that you may be strengthened to stand firm in trial, and trust that even your sufferings are used by God to refine you. Know God deeply, that you may be strengthened to stand firm when trials and pressures come, and trust that even your sufferings serve God's refining purpose, as the vision of a time of great trial and persecution, when the sanctuary is profaned and the faithful suffer, promises that the people who know their God will be strong and take action, and that even the falling of some of the wise serves to refine, purify, and make them white; for in a time when many are corrupted and the faithful fall by sword and flame, it is not the strong in themselves or the clever but those who truly know God, who have a real relationship with him, who are strengthened to stand firm and act faithfully, since knowing God is what gives strength to stand when the pressure is great, and even the sufferings of the faithful are not without meaning but are used by God to refine his people, which encourages us in our own trials, since when trials and pressures come, even severe ones, those who know God are strengthened to stand firm and even our sufferings can serve God's refining purpose, so that we do well to know God deeply, that we may be strengthened to stand and may trust that even our sufferings refine us.

Lord, in a vision of a time of great trial and persecution, when the sanctuary is profaned and the faithful suffer, one steadying word stands out: the people who know their God will be strong and take action. In a time when many are corrupted and the faithful fall by sword and flame, those who truly know you are strengthened to stand firm and act faithfully. And even the falling of some of the wise is not without purpose, for it serves to refine and purify them. This shows that those who know you are strengthened to stand firm in trial, and that trials refine. Show me the source of strength in the time of trial, and the purpose even in suffering. The vision describes a grievous, dark time. And yet, in the midst of it, one thing steadies: the people who know their God will be strong and take action. It is not the strong in themselves, or the clever, but those who know you, who are strengthened to stand firm even in such a trial. Knowing you, having a real relationship with you, is what gives strength to stand when the pressure is great. And even the falling of some of the wise serves a purpose, to refine and purify them. Even the sufferings of the faithful are not without meaning; you use them to refine your people. This encourages me in my own trials. When trials and pressures come, even severe ones, those who know you are strengthened to stand firm; and even my sufferings can serve your refining purpose. Take that to my heart, for those who know you are strengthened to stand firm in trial, and even the sufferings of the faithful serve your refining purpose. Help me know you deeply, Lord, that I may be strengthened to stand firm when trials and pressures come, and trust that even my sufferings are used by you to refine me, rather than feeling unable to stand.