She Reads Truth - DanielSample

The Ram And The Goat
This passage feels like the most absurd, most difficult to unpack piece of scripture I've ever read (especially since history is not my strong suit!). And I just bet I'm not alone.
In fact, our man Daniel - a great man of God - is overcome by the vision The Lord gives him in chapter 8, and verse 27 says it laid him low for days. See? Daniel's with me.
But we also know that every breath of scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Daniel Chapter 8 is here on purpose. So what can we find today in this good word from The Lord? What does Daniel 8 reveal to us about our God?
In a super brief synopsis of the vision and interpretation, we know that there are two animals: a ram with 2 horns, and a male goat with 1 horn, then 4. The vision is a prophecy of evil kingdoms and rulers to come. (Theologians believe this has already been fulfilled with specific kings and kingdoms. I recommend Vaughn Roberts' sermon “The Ram and the Goat if you're interested in digging deeper here!)
But the thing I love about this chapter buried deep in the book of Daniel (apart from its infallible, fulfilled prophecy), is what it tells us about the One we serve. God is telling Daniel that there are some seriously dark days ahead.
“This is coming, Daniel. Evil will prosper, my people will be persecuted severely, my temple will be plundered and desecrated, my holy scriptures will be destroyed. And in all of this, evil will act and prosper." (my loose translation)
As God reveals much to Daniel about pieces of the story that lie ahead, He also reveals about Himself that He is sovereign, loving, and holy. God sovereignly knows everything that is going to happen and allows it to happen - for a limited time. His holiness is never responsible for any evil, nor is He surprised by it. And in God's love for His people, He has given us a fuller revelation in the New Testament: God sends Hope - a Horn of Salvation that will smite evil once and for all.
This bizarre story about horns and goats and rams tells us that God knows, God sends hope, and God reigns! Lord, thank you for your holy truth today!
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About this Plan

Maybe we’ve heard about Daniel and the lion’s den - but who was he really? Daniel was an exile from Judah in a foreign land (Babylon) with many eyes on him, watching which moves He would make and how those choices would define him. Let’s dig into Daniel together and let the Lord make Himself more known to us. Let’s read about the One who made Daniel’s story matter and who is still speaking truth to us through His words today.
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