Finding Peace Amidst Chaos: The Reign of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Beasts Rise, But God Reigns Unshaken

In a world where chaos seems to be rising all around us—whether in the headlines, our homes, or our hearts—Daniel 7 reminds us that while the beasts of disorder and fear may roar, they do not rule. The vision Daniel receives is not just a nightmare of terrifying empires and uncontrollable forces, but a revelation that above all the noise and turmoil, there is a throne that is set in place. The Ancient of Days is seated, calm and unshaken, reigning with holiness, authority, and power. Even when we feel troubled or disturbed by what we see, we can rest in the assurance that God is not pacing or panicking; He is in control, inviting us to stop striving in our own strength and to sit in His. [05:35]

Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV)
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel restless or out of control, and how can you intentionally pause today to acknowledge God’s unshakable reign over that chaos?

Day 2: The Son of Man Reigns with Everlasting Authority

At the heart of Daniel’s vision is the arrival of the Son of Man, who is given all authority, glory, and sovereign power by the Ancient of Days. This is Jesus, who steps into the world not just to demonstrate God’s kingdom but to inaugurate a reign that will never end. Though the world expected a revolution of force, Jesus brought a revolution of love—healing, forgiving, and ultimately conquering not by violence but by laying down His life. His resurrection is the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision: the Son of Man rises, and His dominion is everlasting. No matter how fierce the beasts may seem, Jesus is alive, reigning, and His kingdom will never be destroyed. [11:01]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to trust in Jesus’ everlasting authority today, especially in an area where you feel powerless or defeated?

Day 3: We Are Not Spectators—We Are Partakers in the Kingdom

Daniel’s vision doesn’t end with the Son of Man’s reign; it reveals that the holy people of the Most High will receive and possess the kingdom forever. This means you are not just watching God’s story unfold from the sidelines—you are invited to participate, to carry His presence and authority into your family, your workplace, and your community. The same power that conquered the grave lives in you, empowering you to make a difference even when the beasts still roar. You are called to worship, to follow, and to live with courage and clarity, knowing that you are a co-heir in Christ’s unshakable kingdom. [13:12]

Daniel 7:18 (ESV)
“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.”

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step off the sidelines and actively carry His kingdom into a specific relationship or situation this week?

Day 4: Worship Is Our Response, Not Comfort

The ultimate crescendo of Daniel 7 is not the destruction of the beasts, but the worship of the King who is seated and reigning. We do not come to Jesus simply because He fixes our chaos, but because He is worthy—worthy of all worship, even in the midst of the storm. True peace is not the absence of noise or trouble, but the presence of Someone stronger. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are formed by faith, not shaped by fear. The beasts may still roar, but they do not get the final word; our worship does. [19:43]

Revelation 5:11-13 (ESV)
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you seeking comfort more than worship, and how can you intentionally choose to worship Jesus in that place today?

Day 5: Surrender and Rest in the Presence of the King

Jesus did not conquer by roaring louder than the beasts, but by laying down His life and entering the chaos with us. We do not overcome by taking control, but by surrendering—letting go of our need to fix everything and allowing Jesus to reign in our Mondays, our inboxes, our unknowns, and our struggles. Peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of the One who holds the world together with tears in His eyes and scars on His hands. Today, you are invited to surrender your chaos again, to rest in His unshakable love, and to let Him steady your heart. [21:24]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: What is one area of chaos or striving you need to surrender to Jesus today, and how can you practically lay it down before Him in prayer?

Sermon Summary

Life often feels chaotic—whether it’s the small, personal storms like sleepless nights with young children, or the larger, global upheavals we see in the news. In these moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, restless, and even fearful. Daniel 7 offers a vision that speaks directly into this chaos, not by giving us a code to crack or a timeline to predict, but by inviting us to behold a greater reality: while the beasts rise, the Son of Man reigns.

The vision Daniel receives is terrifying—beasts rising from the sea, representing empires and powers that seem unstoppable. The sea itself, in the ancient imagination, is a symbol of chaos and disorder. Yet, right in the middle of this turmoil, a throne is set in place. The Ancient of Days, clothed in holiness and surrounded by fire and worship, is seated—calm, unshaken, and in control. This image is not just a theological abstraction; it’s an invitation to stop striving in our own strength and to rest in the reality that God is not panicked by the chaos that panics us.

The beasts are real, but they do not rule. Above the noise, above the waves, the throne is occupied. The story doesn’t end with chaos; it moves to the Son of Man—Jesus—who is given all authority, glory, and power. He enters the chaos, not by crushing it with force, but by laying down his life, conquering through surrender and sacrificial love. His resurrection is the checkmate move that assures us the outcome is secure, even when the world feels unstable.

But the vision goes further: we are not just spectators. We are invited into the story as co-heirs, called to carry the reign of Christ into our families, communities, and the very places where chaos seems to reign. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. Our calling is not to be shaped by fear, but to be formed by faith, to worship through the storm, and to rest in the One who is truly in charge.

In a world that is noisy and uncertain, peace is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of the One who holds all things together. The beasts may roar, but they do not get the final word. The Son of Man reigns, his throne is unshaken, and so is your future.

Key Takeaways

1. Rest in God’s Sovereignty, Not Your Striving When chaos swirls around us, our instinct is to strive for control, but God invites us to sit and rest in his sovereignty. The Ancient of Days is not pacing or panicking; he is seated, calm, and in control. True spiritual maturity is found not in our ability to manage chaos, but in our willingness to surrender and trust the One who reigns above it. [05:35]
2. The Beasts Are Real, But They Don’t Rule Scripture never denies the reality of evil or chaos, but it never gives them the throne. The beasts—whether global crises or personal struggles—may rise, but they are ultimately defeated and stripped of power. Our hope is not in pretending the chaos isn’t real, but in remembering that above every storm, God’s throne is occupied and the outcome is secure. [04:40]
3. Jesus Conquers Through Sacrifice, Not Force The Son of Man’s victory is not achieved by roaring louder than the beasts, but by laying down his life. Jesus enters the chaos, absorbs its pain, and overcomes it through resurrection. We are called to follow him not by seizing control, but by surrendering, trusting that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. [16:40]
4. You Are Not a Spectator—You Are a Co-Heir The vision of Daniel 7 is not just about God’s victory, but about our participation in it. We are invited to carry the authority and presence of Christ into the world, to be his hands and feet in the midst of chaos. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead empowers us to live with courage, clarity, and hope, making a difference wherever we go. [13:12]
5. Fix Your Eyes Higher Than the Headlines In a world filled with noise, fear, and uncertainty, the invitation is not to try harder, but to look higher. Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ. When we lift our eyes to the One who is seated and reigning, we find the strength to worship through the storm and the assurance that our future is unshakable.

** [19:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Chaos in Life and the World
[03:34] - The Beasts of Daniel 7: Empires and Chaos
[04:40] - Daniel’s Fear and Our Own
[05:35] - The Ancient of Days Takes His Seat
[07:10] - Restlessness and Learning to Sit
[08:45] - God’s Calm in Our Chaos
[09:50] - The Beasts Are Defeated
[11:01] - The Son of Man: Jesus and His Kingdom
[13:12] - Our Place in the Story: Co-Heirs with Christ
[15:30] - Living with Kingdom Authority
[16:40] - Jesus’ Victory Through Sacrifice
[18:20] - Worship in the Midst of Chaos
[19:43] - Fixing Our Eyes on the Throne
[21:24] - Closing Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Daniel 7:1-28 — (Daniel’s vision of the four beasts, the Ancient of Days, and the Son of Man)
- Matthew 24:30-31
(Jesus refers to the Son of Man coming on the clouds)
- Acts 1:6-11
(Jesus’ ascension and the promise of his return)

Observation Questions

In Daniel’s vision, what do the four beasts represent, and where do they come from? How does Daniel describe his emotional response to seeing them?
What details are given about the Ancient of Days and his throne in Daniel 7? What stands out about his posture and the atmosphere around him?
According to Daniel 7, what is given to the “one like a son of man” when he comes before the Ancient of Days?
In the sermon, what is the “plot twist” about the role of God’s people in this vision?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Daniel’s vision uses beasts rising from the sea to represent empires and chaos? What does the sea symbolize in the ancient imagination, and how does that shape our understanding of the world’s chaos?
The Ancient of Days is described as seated, calm, and in control, even as chaos unfolds. What does this image communicate about God’s character and how he relates to the world’s turmoil?
The sermon says, “The beasts are real, but they don’t rule.” How does this perspective help us face the reality of evil and suffering without being overcome by fear or denial?
Jesus is described as conquering not by force, but by sacrifice. How does this challenge common ideas about power and victory, both in the world and in our own lives?

Application Questions

The sermon describes our instinct to strive for control when chaos swirls around us, but God invites us to rest in his sovereignty. Where in your life do you feel restless or tempted to “strive” instead of surrender? What would it look like to “sit” and trust God in that area this week?
The beasts in Daniel 7 are not denied, but they are ultimately defeated. Are there “beasts” (personal struggles, fears, or global anxieties) that feel overwhelming to you right now? How can you remind yourself that God’s throne is still occupied, even when the chaos feels real?
The sermon says, “Jesus didn’t roar to victory, he bled for it.” In what situations are you tempted to “fight for control” rather than follow Jesus’ example of surrender and sacrificial love? How could you respond differently this week?
Daniel 7 says God’s people will “receive the kingdom and possess it forever.” The sermon calls us “co-heirs” and not just spectators. Where do you sense God inviting you to carry his presence and authority into a place of chaos—whether in your family, workplace, or community?
The sermon encourages us to “fix our eyes higher than the headlines.” What are some practical ways you can lift your focus from the noise and fear of the world to the reality of Christ’s reign? Is there a specific habit or media source you need to limit or replace this week?
The preacher shared about feeling restless and out of control when separated from his phone, and how God reminded him to “sit” because God is seated. Is there a daily routine or moment where you could intentionally pause, breathe, and remember God’s calm presence?
The sermon asks, “What beast has got you twitching?” and suggests surrendering it to Jesus. Is there something specific you need to lay down or entrust to God today? How can your group support you in this?

Sermon Clips

Right in the middle of the chaos, right in the middle of all the disorder, a throne was placed. Not just any throne, his throne. A throne that is described where he is clothed in white—there's holiness, which symbolizes holiness, flames of fire, authority, a river of fire, power, thousands worshiping, glory. And the key detail for me this week: he is seated. He's not pacing, he's not panicking, he's not looking at the headlines or doom scrolling the markets. He sits calm, unshaken, and in control. [00:05:52] (40 seconds) #SurrenderOverStriving

``Your striving won't fix the chaos, but your surrender might change how you walk through it. And in verse 11 it says the beast was slain and destroyed in the fire, the others stripped of power. It's not a fair fight, it's a finished one. So let that settle in your spirit. God is not panicked by the chaos that panics you. You don't have to pretend the beasts aren't real, just remember that they don't rule, that they're not in charge. Because above the noise there's a throne and someone is still seated. [00:08:45] (32 seconds) #LookUpNotIn

We live with clarity, we live with courage. The beasts rage but they don't rule. The court is seated, read it this week, the books are open, the outcome is secure. You don't need to fight harder, you just need to look higher. I will not be ruled by the chaos, I will rest in the one who is in charge. [00:16:21] (20 seconds) #FollowByLettingGo

Jesus doesn't crush the beast by roaring loud but by laying down his life. We do not conquer by control but by following the lamb. So today surrender again, give him your chaos again, let him reign in your Monday, your inbox, your unknown, your struggles, your challenges again. Jesus didn't roar to victory, he bled for it. We don't fight by taking control, we follow by letting go. The beast may rage but the kingdom is not shaken. [00:16:44] (38 seconds) #EnteredTheChaos

Peace is not the absence of noise, it's the presence of someone stronger. And so we're called to live with an awareness of his presence. When we do that, you'll never be intimidated by the presence of chaos. [00:18:19] (15 seconds) #JusticeIsComing

We can be assured of the God in heaven ruling with glory, authority and unshakable love. And I don't know about you, but that encourages me in a world where there is chaos all around us. I want to encourage you, let him steady your heart this morning. Let him carry your chaos because he still rules. The beasts rise. But the Son of Man reigns. And his throne is not shaken. His love is not shaken. And your future is not shaken. [00:20:55] (35 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does Daniel 7 reveal about God's sovereignty?

How should Christians respond to chaos and beasts rising?

What is the significance of the Son of Man's reign?