Are you heading for your allotted place?

 The last verse in the book of Daniel reads thus;

*13*But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13.

After all of the experiences Daniel has had throughout his life, both miraculous and mortifying, he is encouraged to, ‘go your way til the end’. What a beautifully simple instruction. God is telling Daniel that he just needs to keep doing what he has been doing. God has confidence in the way Daniel lives his life, there is nothing more that he needs to do so God exhorts him to keep it up. Daniel had many challenges and triumphs throughout his life, and he remained steadfast in his trust in God. Daniel sought God and listened to Him, and learned to care about what God cares about. So the greatest instruction that God could give Daniel at this stage of his life is to keep going in that way, with the confidence that he has a place reserved for him in eternity. Daniel is on the right path and almost there, he has an, ‘allotted place’, a secure position assigned to him because of the faithful and faith-filled life he led, he just needs to keep going.

Wouldn’t you like a word from God like that? 

I would. The simple assurance that the way you are going is right and the confidence of your eternal place. What relief, satisfaction and hope that must have brought Daniel. Towards the end of his Earthly days, he is reminded of eternal security and encouraged in the long road of life that he has been on. Daniel is assured that he will be able to ‘rest and shall stand’. Meaning that he will have relief from struggle, peace of heart, and the right to be there. When we accept Jesus as our saviour and live our lives with a God-first mentality, we too earn the right to rest and stand in our allotted places when our time on Earth is done. 

Are you living to earn that eternal reward? 

This instruction for Daniel shows us the generosity of God. God not only provides us the salvation we need - forgiveness from all our wrongs through Jesus - but He also gives us a place of honour in eternity when we live focussed on Him. God delivers us from the sin which causes separation from Him, so that we can walk life and the life after with God  Yet, like the generous father that He is. God is not satisfied with just that. God did not stop at offering us all salvation and restoration, but He also secures an eternal place for those that believe in Him and live for Him. Not only can we be free from condemnation, but we can also have relationship with God, and be given an, ' allotted place' like Daniel was. 

I think this verse is an apt way to end the book of Daniel. The genuine faith of Daniel has lasted through many trials, roles, responsibilities, persecution and revelations, and he is pretty old now. The faithfulness and boldness of Daniel has a promised reward. Daniel did not get the reward or the promise of it at the start as a young teenage exile, but at the end of an eventful, faith-filled life. Daniel had to keep going through his life doing his best to honour God in the midst of many trials, and now he receives a wonderful assurance from God. Daniel has not much further to go - the end is in sight - he is heading in the right direction, so he just needs to continue so that he gains his 'allotted place at the end of the days'. 

One day, we too will face the end of our Earthly lives. What will be the assurance God gives you then? Will you will be given rest and an eternal, appointed position because of the life you have chosen to live?

*13*But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”