Be not discouraged

The events outlined in the book of Daniel took place six hundred years before Jesus of Nazareth appeared. (Fragments of the book were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls which may indicate that the book was written at that period.) It was during a period when the Israelite nation was in disarray and its citizens forcibly removed from their homeland and transported to Babylon. A discouraging outlook indeed.

Captivity in, or removal to a "foreign" land seems to be a recurring theme in the Bible. For example, the baby Moses was removed from his family and grew up in the court of the Pharoah. Joseph came into a position of great influence under similar circumstances. Daniel's experience shows us that despite unpromising circumstances, he could shine a light on the sustaining power of God through his uprightness, obedience and consecration.

The Gospel of Luke alludes to such difficult conditions. Jesus never shied away from adverse situations, but rather was able to raise thought upwards to see the higher purpose. [Mary Baker Eddy speaks of adverse conditions in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures - "Meet every adverse circumstance as its master" (p. 419).] In Luke chapter 21 Jesus is speaking with the chief priests, the scribes and the elders, who pepper him with questions. In response to their queries about the church (in this case, the temple), he foretells the ruin of Jerusalem. The King James Version has it (verse 24): "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (my italics).

But read on, and lo, redemption: "...the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21: 27)! Here is the joyous instruction to "...look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (verse 28).

This reminds me of Daniel's experience in chapter 11 when he seems at an all-time low, his strength failing him. But God had never abandoned him. Help is at hand. Behold the angels are right there to assure him: "Michael...came to help me..." (verse 13) and a messenger, "one like the appearance of a man" (verse 18)  gives him strength. I am grateful to have learned in Christian Science that the terms "man" and "son" do not indicate male or female but rather the tender relationship between God and His offspring.

Julie Swannell