It’s not over yet
Key Scripture – Daniel 12:13 NIV - “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance”
This is the very last verse in the book of Daniel, and it’s a verse that is incredibly personal, and packed with HOPE, GRACE and ENCOURAGEMENT.
Look at the repeated use of YOU and YOUR. The words in this verse were spoken personally to Daniel - and its personal for each one of us. God has a specific thing lined up for each one of us to do. I love the truth that when God appoints, God anoints. In other words, when God puts something in our hearts to do for him, he will give us what we need to carry it out. He GRACES us to serve him.
Debbie and I were called to plant and pastor ShoreLife Church in Mornington (Vic). We went down there in 2007. That’s what God had called us to do. It was a personal call that we both had on our life. It was a tough town to pastor, we had not planted a church before, and yet somehow God who had appointed us, also anointed us for the task he had called us to. We felt like quitting many times in the 13 years we were there – but every time we reminded ourselves that God had called us there and had not yet released us from that call. Then late in 2019 God told both of us “Your time in Mornington is ended, you are to return to Newcastle”.
We had “gone our way” (ie God’s way) till it ended.
But we haven’t finished. God has more for us to do.
The “rest” that Daniel 12:13 mentions is when this life draws to a close. Until then, God has things for each of us to do. Debbie and I are not currently pastoring a church – but we are still serving God in what he has appointed/anointed us to do in this new season.
The HOPE, the ENCOURAGEMENT for Daniel, AND for us, is that there is a PERSONAL inheritance for each of us in Heaven when God says, “Your time is ended, it’s time to rest”.
Ian Wood
Reflection: Do you ever feel like giving up? When you have those times, I encourage you to spend time fasting and praying. Allow God to refresh you for all He has for you to do.
TOGETHER PRAYER: Church vision for 2025