A meditation remix on Daniel 10-11,
Joshua 1, and Isaiah 41 (*)
Daniel, do not be afraid.
From your window, what is it you see?
Nations and kingdoms
self-centered and self-righteous;
their citizens and communities
expendable casualties and refugees?
It is only for a time.
In your visions, what is it you see?
Rulers with power ever intoxicating,
kings at war ever making,
leaders on high never bending?
Not one of them will remain triumphant.
Be not afraid,
you who are highly esteemed.
Stretch out your vision! Now tell me what you see.
Gold and silver, iron and bronze broken
their pieces so small
the wind carries them away.
Now you see—
an end will come for all at the appointed time.
Look out heaven’s window! Tell me what you see.
Deep and hidden things,
beautiful and lovely names,
written wisely in the book.
Now you see—
Deliverance is coming, Daniel, for those
who sleep in the dust of the earth.
Justice is coming for those
whose blood cries out from the ground.
Be strong now
you who live in exile.
Resist the temptation
to elevate any nation, but God’s kingdom,
to believe peace comes by anyone’s blood, but the Lamb,
to define good and evil by any means, but by the Word.
Do not be afraid, Belteshazzar.
Blessed in the one who waits,
for the LORD is a God of justice.
∴∴∴∴∴
Joshua, do not be afraid.
Be strong and courageous;
I am calling you to lead,
but not by your might or power,
and not for your glory.
Joshua, Jehovah saves,
so lead the way
by my Spirit’s might and power,
for the glory of the Almighty.
I am Jehovah of Heaven’s Armies.
I will do the fighting;
you do the faithing.
The only river-crossing machinery you will need
to safely lead two million across the Jordan’s surge—
faith.
In faith that my hand will hold back the torrents,
lead the priests and the people across the dry ground.
The only high-grade military weapon you will need
to bring down Jericho’s 25-foot walls—
faith.
In faith that my hand will collapse the rampart,
lead the priests and the people around the doomed city.
The only Jericho-living Canaanites you will need
to protect will be the one who demonstrates—
faith and deeds.
In faith that Jehovah God is God in heaven above and on earth below,
Rahab’s courageous actions will
serve as a witness to the priests and the people of my great love.
When you are old and gray, Joshua,
at rest from all your enemies,
you will summon all of Israel to say:
“It was Jehovah your God who fought for you.
The only strategic alliance or treaty we ever needed
to topple 31 kings in seven years—
faith in the army of the Lord.
Faith that His voice can make the sun stand still,
cause the moon to stop,
hurl down hailstones,
command Heaven’s Armies.”
Be strong and courageous, Moses’ successor;
hold fast, Jesus’ forerunner.
As I was Emmanuel to Moses,
so I will be with you;
I will never leave you,
neglect you,
forsake you, or
abandon you.
Do not be afraid, Joshua,
Jehovah does indeed save.
I AM is fighting your battles yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
∴∴∴∴∴
Isaiah, comfort my people.
Speak tenderly to them saying,
do not be afraid.
Who is the one
who has traveled to earth’s end,
from the wings of the dawn
to the far side of the sea?
I am the one
calling you from corners farthest,
inviting you from places unlikeliest.
You are whom I have chosen.
So fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Who is the one
who never casts aside you with
prideful issues, poor decisions,
and misguided causes?
I am the one
giving the humble grace,
upholding the poor with justice,
strengthening inquirers with wisdom.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be discouraged, for I am your God.
Who is the one
who meets you in the valley of the shadow of death,
at the knot at the end of your rope,
at the mountain in the middle of your path?
I am
your light in the darkness,
your assurance of hope,
your guide in the wilderness.
So do not fear; I will help you.
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand.
Who is the one
who can say to the messed up, “All is forgiven.”
to those too far gone, “All is redeemable.”
to the broken down, “All is being made new!”
I AM
the Holy One who defines you as
precious one
honored one
loved one.
So do not be afraid
although you are weak like a worm,
little like a mite.
I myself will help you,
by my strength,
by my might,
I will be your Redeemer.
So, you need not be afraid.
*A Meditation Remix
I’ve come to think of this writing style as a meditation remix. It begins as a meditation on a specific passages from scripture, and as I ponder the specific words and phrases, other verses and images come to mind and get swirled into the mix. My concordance is always within reach as I cross reference words and phrases — everything revealing how “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever“. All Scripture, I believe, is God-breathed, beautiful in the original form, and complete just as it is. I am not offering a new translation or interpretation; this is not a replacement in any way to the original sacred writings. My desire is simply that this meditation remix will inspire you to return to the original text, see it with fresh eyes, and experience it with a heart open to His words of hope.
Lord, Come Quickly 
Nicole: this is awesome, you are truly blessed to see and write it in a way that makes sense to us in a beautiful way!
Love you! Neva
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Thank you! You are so kind. It helps settle my soul to write these meditations on paper and on my heart at the same time. 🙂
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