What do you see? – November 27, 2023

Read: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13,14

What do you see?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you know what a holusion is? A holusion is a picture that looks like a bunch of jumbled squiggly lines and colors. You can’t tell what it is from a first glance. But after looking, blinking, staring, and squinting, your eyes start to see something. Only this time, almost behind the picture, a three-dimensional picture magically seems to appear out of nowhere.

Life is kind of like a holusion. To understand what’s really going on, you have to see behind the picture. On the surface, it just looks like a bunch of squiggly lines and confusing colors. It’s hard for us to see how God is working it out.

That’s why God gives us this vision through Daniel so he could see behind the picture. Daniel saw kingdoms rising and falling and the world going crazy! But Daniel also saw that God knew exactly what would happen and was in complete control the whole time.

It’s good to remember that God is the king of history. He never loses control. Even when there are scary things going on around us, nothing is more powerful than our God.

Sometimes we forget that. Sometimes life seems like such a scary, jumbled, confusing mess. it can make us forget or doubt that God is in control. So Daniel encourages us to see what he saw.

He saw a man who walked before the throne of God. A man “like a son of man.” Do you know who the Bible calls the “son of man?” It’s Jesus.

See, God wanted you to see Jesus as someone who was just like us but so strong and powerful, he changed our future from the scariness of death and darkness to the safety of his family and a place where we are forever protected.

There are moments where we all get scared because we don’t see the whole picture. But remember to look behind the picture. Let your eyes see God in complete control. Let your eyes see Jesus, your Savior King, ruling for you.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, let my eyes join the eyes of Daniel and see my God in control at all times and in every way. Let the scary parts of this life fade away when I see your hand ruling for my good. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What’s the thing you’re most afraid of?
• In today’s devotion, who is bigger than that scary thing?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is one thing you’re worried about this week?
• Why is it comforting to know that Jesus has all power and authority?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it comforting to know that Jesus is standing before the throne of the almighty God for us?
• Today’s devotion is about God ruling over all things for your good. Name three areas of your life where you find that truth especially comforting.