What emotions did Daniel experience, and how can we relate to them? Setting the Scene in Daniel 7 Daniel receives night visions of four beasts, a glimpse of heaven’s courtroom, and the coming of the Son of Man. The glory is breathtaking, yet the imagery is fierce and unsettling. Daniel’s Emotional Response (7:15) “ I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me ”. Key feelings: • Grieved – sorrow, inner pain • Alarmed – startled, anxious, fearful • Overwhelmed – later in v. 28 he says his “face turned pale” and he “kept the matter to himself” Related snapshots of Daniel’s emotions: • 10:8 – “no strength remained in me… my face turned deathly pale” • 10:19 – “do not be afraid… be strong now” (angelic encouragement) Why Daniel Felt This Way • He saw brutal powers rising (7:3-8). • He grasped how holy God is in judgment (7:9-10). • He realized the suffering still ahead for God’s people (7:21, 25). • He was physically alone with the weight of revelation. Relating Daniel’s Feelings to Our Own We know the mix of sorrow and alarm when: • News headlines reveal violence and moral chaos. • Personal trials hit suddenly—illness, job loss, betrayal. • We study prophecy and sense the seriousness of end-time events. • God’s Word confronts our sin and calls for change. Scriptural Parallels to Human Fear and Distress • Psalm 55:5 – “fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me” • Luke 22:44 – Jesus, “being in agony, prayed more earnestly” • 2 Corinthians 7:5 – Paul faced “conflicts on the outside, fears within” Responding Biblically to Fear and Grief Practical steps drawn from Daniel and other passages: 1. Acknowledge the emotion. Daniel wrote it down; he didn’t pretend it wasn’t there. 2. Seek understanding. He asked the angel for interpretation (7:16). 3. Anchor in God’s sovereignty. The Most High still “will receive the kingdom” (7:18). 4. Lean on divine strength. 10:19 – “peace be with you; be strong now”. 5. Keep worship central. Daniel’s visions culminate in the Son of Man receiving everlasting dominion (7:13-14). 6. Persevere in faithfulness. Daniel continued serving in Babylon while awaiting fulfillment. Living the Lesson Today • When grief or alarm rises, admit it to the Lord and trusted believers. • Let Scripture interpret the chaos—God’s plan ends in His absolute victory. • Pray for courage: Philippians 4:6-7 promises peace that guards hearts and minds. • Focus on Christ’s coming kingdom; present troubles are temporary (Romans 8:18). • Stay active in obedience, just as Daniel kept praying and serving through every regime change. Daniel’s honest emotions remind us that even the most faithful saints feel deep distress, yet confidence returns when we look past the beasts to the throne. |
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