Jesus Take The Wheel

I was somewhat gripped by an awareness of my age and my relatively favored journey this morning as I read through Chapters 10-12 of Daniel.

No spiritual comparison implied, rather I was challenged anew by the faithfulness of this biblical icon, one taken captive along with a few buddies in 605 BC as mere teens.

It is said that they were hand picked, "understanding the sciences" per the KJV, from royal family and nobility (NIV). The science thing gives me hope though I was far from royalty at birth!

Based upon the mention of Cyrus, it was around 539, with 66 years having passed since Daniel's deportaion. If I assume he was, say 14 them, he is now 80.

Old and perhaps too weak to assume any possible return to Jerusalem. However, still strong in the faith, surviving and serving through the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and now Cyrus.

Having lived from Eisenhower to Trump, I do have some stories under my belt, though no comparison to the brutality witnessed by this "lions den" survivor.

Imagine the wisdom of this dear man and his dedication to the voice of the Spirit, even at 80 years of age or more, now "fasting 3 weeks;" denying himself of "choice foods, no meat, no lotions (bodily care).

That's spiritual discipline!

He had already admitted to being "worn out & exhausted back in verse 8:27 under Belshazzar's reign. That, I can claim!

He lived his own life, without regard for what those more elite around him might have to say. Hear my desire for such spiritual stamina!

Because of who he had become, it was to him that God begins to roll out visions so realistic that those around him, likely those more elite were "overwhelmed" and fled in terror to hide.

These visions perhaps later unpacked by Jesus with the disciples, one of them now known as John the Revelator. You might check out verse 12:7 & then John the Revelator's use of the exact phrase "a time, times, and half a time" in Revelation 12:14

Not sure I have their kind of resolve, nor could be so profoundly entrusted in such critical prophetic moments, nor when political madness so abounds.

However, each morning I have tried to made myself avaliable, now for over half a century.

Jesus take the wheel!