"Why do nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?" Good questions as we observe the world today. "But the One who rules in heaven laughs. The LORD scoffs at them." Good answers because we are confident of who is in charge.

The LORD told Abram to leave everything and everyone he knew and go. Go where? Nowhere in particular, but he was told his obedience would be blessed. Not only would he be blessed by following the LORD’s command, but all the people who came after him… and all those who came after them… would also be blessed. “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” vs. 3b

His life was sure going to be an adventure!

In this fragile and broken world, suffering is inevitable. We all will go through suffering. We all will have opportunities to walk alongside those who are suffering. So how are we to handle this reality? How can we give comfort? The answer is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. He asserts that because we have a loving heavenly father who gives us comfort, we are empowered to share this comfort to others in their time of need.

We have come to the end of our series in the book of Daniel - boy, there was a lot.

What did we learn? What did we not learn? During this series,“Christians, Culture and the Beast”, the parallels between that time and our modern culture and socio-political environment are clear; it’s about power - who wants it and who ultimately grants it. In the end, like Daniel and his friends, we can gratefully say that “we do not need to defend ourselves before [you]” to those who deny the sovereignty, power and greatness of God.

Nothing makes any sense…but yet it does. God continues to give Daniel all sort of visions - strange and glorious all at once. The visions portray the great peril that will be visited upon those who are wicked, but those who possess wisdom and continue in faithfulness… well, that’s a different ending altogether.

"But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them onto your children and grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9

We want to celebrate and encourage the grandparents in our church family who serve as important and often stabilizing forces inside the family unit, providing a consistent example of a godly life.

"I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe." Psalm 4:8

Because this world is a scary place, we can rest assured knowing we are in the hands of our Heavenly Father who is says, "go to sleep."

Daniel is given even more interesting insight through an unexpected messenger. The information is very specific - eerily specific - but what does it all mean? What does God have in store for the people still in exile in Babylon?