Do you like being around someone who thinks they’re better than anyone else? Devoted followers of Narcissus? Perfect fussbudgets, even among believers? Holier-than-thou with spiritual noses perched high in the air? Not me. So, I skedaddle far away as fast as my old legs can carry me!

Don’t worry about hanging around with me. I’m as far from perfect as someone can be. I know myself. Warts and all. When times get tough, I can easily waver in my faith in Jesus. Panic before praying. Expecting to be thrashed and smashed to smithereens. Probably not just me. You think?

Here in Daniel 11, the worst character hits Israel’s national stage. A ruthless renegade draws as much blood as possible. He commits what’s called the ‘abomination of desolation’ (Dan. 11: 31), which is a rebuke of God and His authority, unparalleled in the history of the Lord’s people. Their collective backs are smack up against a hellish wall of evil. Sounds like today’s news, doesn’t it?

What happens to God’s people? Do they stand their ground solidly for their Lord? Let’s find out–‘And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end…’ (Dan. 11: 33-35). But does this only refer to the ancients? Hardly.

For when we stumble, there’s a helping hand reaching out to us. Jesus is strong when we are weak. When we fail Him, as regretful as that can be, He’s there to lift us up, to love us, and forgive us. Others may try to flatter us away from following Jesus, but in time, we’ll come to our senses. He allows us to wander so that we’ll learn firsthand that home with Him is better than anywhere else. This I’ve learned. The hard way.

Come home. Don’t let stumbling keep you down and distraught. Let Jesus help you to get up, to dust you off, to shake off any guilt or shame, and to make you right as rain for Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to stand with you. Amen.