A Man Set Apart: Daniel 7 (Daily Devo)
My wife just said, “don’t you think it’s going to be challenging to have Devo’s around the rest of the book of Daniel?” I joking said, “yes, maybe we should just say….Daniel chapter seven….good luck.” Ha.
Truth is, after Daniel six with the lion's den story, it does get more mysterious and probably something that might be harder to talk about with the family. But I’m there with you, and we’ll tackle it together.
In Daniel 7, Daniel has a dream about four different beasts representing kings/kingdoms of earth, the “Ancient of days” (God himself) and one that was like a “Son of Man.” (Jesus in heaven). Daniel is seeing events happen before their time, kings and kingdoms rising and falling. He gets a glimpse of Jesus, who hasn’t even come to earth yet, but Daniel sees him in heaven as the “son of man” and explains this amazing scene where all dominion is given to the Son by the Ancient of Days (the Father).
ANCIENT OF DAYS // SON OF MAN
While you can dive into the meaning of the four beasts, if you’d like this week with your family, it might be more worth your time discussing this vision of God the Father and Jesus the son.
Here are some things mentioned about the Ancient of Days:
- His clothing was white as snow
- His hair like pure wool
- His throne was a fiery chariot with blazing wheels (so cool)
- A stream of fire flowed out from before Him
- Thousand thousands served Him
- And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him
- The books were opened (record of all the deeds of those on earth...scary!)
Here are some things mentioned about this one that comes like a son of man:
- Comes on the clouds,
- He was given dominion, glory and a kingdom
- All peoples, nations and languages should serve him
- His dominion is an everlasting dominion and will not pass away
- His kingdom will never be destroyed
This vision of God the Father and God the Son displays God’s righteousness, wisdom, power and glory. God is awesome! Chapter 7 of Daniel is going to speak of God’s complete sovereign control of all things and events past, present, and future. He not only controls events, but controls when and for how long events take place. It’s His time-table and noone elses. He is working all things for His purpose and for His glory. No earthly king or kingdom can stand before God, but must bow to His will, and that is exactly what happens and will continue to happen until He returns.
ALL ABOUT JESUS
I don’t assume anything about our readers. I don’t assume that everyone has true gospel motives for teaching their children spiritual truth, or going to church for that matter. I believe many of us secretly would be happy if our children were just nice, moral people.
But nice, moral people wouldn’t need someone to die on the cross for their sin. They wouldn’t need a Father God who had planned this since creation’s past, giving a vision to Daniel many years before Jesus was sent to earth to accomplish all that is mentioned in Daniel 7.
I just want to try and encourage you that in every moment you have with your children, please go back to Jesus over and over. He was there in the beginning, he was there in Daniel’s vision, he really died on the cross for you and me and he will be there one day to redeem this whole earth for his glory.
The families that consistently, and humbly, put Jesus in front of their kids, have a fighting chance at seeing God do amazing things.
Josh Walker (@joshdwalker) is the co-founder and owner of One Fifty Media House, a Houston, TX based Audio and Video Design Team. He is the writer and author of music products such as Family Devo, Grammar Time and Hymns For Selena. He is married to Angela and has two beautiful children: Nathan and Charity Joy.
Day 1: Daniel 7:1-8
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
- A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[1] In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. [2] Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. [3] And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. [4] The first was like a lion and had eagle's' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. [5] And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ [6] After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. [7] After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. - Daniel 7:1-8 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: Do you dream? Are they spiritual in any way? Talk about that with your family. Do you know what imagery is? Are these beasts actual monsters or do they represent something else. (Explain how the four beasts represent specific kingdoms/rulers)
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
Suggested Prayer: Father, you give us things in our lives, even our dreams, that point to your control over our universe. Let us know that you are so far above us. Give us a respect and godly reverence for your name.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: Daniel 7:9-12
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
- A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[9] “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. [10] A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. [11] “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. [12] As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. - Daniel 7:9-12 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: Who is the “Ancient of Days?” Why is His clothing and hair significant? (Hint: his white clothing represents God’s purity, His pure wool hair represents His wisdom)
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
Suggested Prayer: Thank you God for your purity and wisdom. Only You have the ability to rightly judge all men.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: Daniel 7:13-14
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
- A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[13] “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. [14] And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. - Daniel 7: 13-14 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: Who is being presented to the Ancient of Days? What was he given?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
Suggested Prayer: Jesus, you have been given an everlasting dominion. Your kingdom shall not be destroyed.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: Daniel 7:15-22
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
- A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[15] “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. [16] I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. [17] ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. [18] But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
[19] “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, [20] and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. [21] As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, [22] until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. - Daniel 7:15-22 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: Why was Daniel anxious and distraught?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
Suggested Prayer: Father you exalt nations and you bring nations down. You control and oversee all of our universe. Thank you that You can be trusted no matter what happens and that You are more powerful than the most powerful rulers on earth.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: Daniel 7:23-28
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
- A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[23] “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. [24] As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. [25] He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. [26] But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. [27] And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ [28] “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” - Daniel 7:23-28 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: What is the conflict happening here, presumably?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
Suggested Prayer: Father, you are our Most High. You are high above all nations and rulers that have ever been. To you be praise and glory.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
