When life seems chaotic, or broken, what can see you through? How do you find courage and strength when that's the case?

In the Morning Service we will look at Daniel 10-12: Faithful to the End. You can find sermon summary notes below.

In the Evening Service we will look at Romans 9:1-29.

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Faithful to the End

Daniel 10-12

The last three chapters of Daniel consist of a single vision, that sets out the course of history from Daniel's time to the end. But it also shows us how a steadfast faith can help us navigate life when it seems to make no sense.

When Life Seems a Mess

The Jewish people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple 2 years previously. Daniel stayed behind. he must have heard they had encountered opposition. In response he prays and fasts. He wants to understand why God would let them return, only for it to end in failure. Sometimes life does not make sense.

In response to his prayer, Daniel sees a vision that overwhelms him. It illustrates the gulf between our broken sinfulness and God's holiness. We can find ourselves on our faces because of our sin.

How can faith endure when life does not make sense or our lives seem broken?

Know You are Loved

Twice Daniel is told he is loved. When you know you are loved by God it makes endurance possible.

Know There's a Battle

The curtain on the heavenly battle is drawn back for Daniel. When we understand we are in a war and not a picnic it can help us stand firm. We engage in this battle through prayer for the people of God.

Know that Things Might Get Worse

Chapter 11 details 2-3 centuries of Middle East history. The people of God are caught in the middle of the conflict. Things might seem bad now for the people, but they will get worse under Antiochus Epiphanes. They will get still worse before the end.

The people of God could either compromise and become indistinguishable from the people around them, or stand firm. But to stand firm came with a cost. Faithfulness is often costly. What can give you the courage to face that?

Know the Future that Makes Faithfulness Worth It

Daniel is promised that deliverence will come. Christ will conquer. Knowing you are on the winning team helps you endure.

But ultimately the cost of faithfulness is only worth it if this life is not all there is. The resurrection tells us it is not. Resurrection Day will be Reward Day. The ultimate deliverence will come and justice will be done. The cost of faithfulness now will be worth it then.