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All human affairs are under God's dominion, and must develop the wisdom of His rule and the glory of His counsel. Daniel's visions perplexed his soul. He longed for more light, but to his eager cry there came the calming direction, and the consoling assurance, of the text.

I. THERE IS AN APPOINTED COURSE FOR EVERY MAN. With all our similarities, we are made to feel our separateness. "Thou." "Thy way."

1. Having a separate existence we have a separate way. This is set forth in Scripture, and evident by observation. (Hebrews 11 for illustrations.)(a) Then we should take our case to God, and our course from God. "Wait on the Lord" — consult Him, trust Him, give attention to Divine requirements. "Wait for the Lord " — for the indications of His will within, and the movement of His hand without. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."(b) We should render obedience. "To every man his work." We are not compelled to "go" by a fixed fate. Man is moral, and, therefore, free to disobey. The element in obedience that pleases God is willingness. Christian principles, right motives, untiring service, will make our days bright with Heavenly light. Is the course you are taking one that God and conscience can approve? "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man" — but what about the end thereof?

2. Providential mysteries ought not to interfere with duty. There are hidden things in creation, secrets in God's dealings, and mysteries in the Scriptures. Shall all obligation be superseded until these are fully known? There is nothing dark about duty. (Micah 6:8.) O troubled soul, cease repining; weak heart, take courage; depressed, baffled spirit, repose in God! Inactivity brings no solution; fretfulness removes no obscurities. Trust and toil, and life will be a diversity of discoveries. With a separate existence and a peculiar way — do thine individual duty. " Go thou thy way." A commonplace but impressive fact is next inculcated.

II. THAT THERE IS AN END TO MAN'S COURSE ON EARTH. "Till the end be." When, where, or how Daniel passed away, we know not. The end came, "and he died."

1. Think of the inevitable end —

(a)  to business engagements;

(b)  to Sabbath enjoyments;

(c)  present sufferings;

(d)  earthly relationships;

(e)  our connection with time.

2. The end is under God's control. "Man's days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee; 'Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass."

3. The end of this life is the beginning of another. To abide in our calling, strive after conformity to Christ's image, daily to renew our acts of trust and service, and faithfully discharge the stewardship of life, will help us to finish our course with joy, and prepare us for the world to come. The words to Daniel give:

III. THE PROMISE OF AN ALLOTTED FUTURE. "For thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

1. A pledge of rest. God's promised rest is not the calm of unfeeling apathy, nor the rest of the grave; but the rest of perfect satisfaction. (Revelation 17:13-17; Revelation 21:3, 4.)

2. The assurance of a personal portion. The way in which the land of promise was divided to tribes and families supplies the figure. A better inheritance than a few acres of land is assured to the man, Daniel; an individual portion, peculiar and permanent. "Thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days." At the end of the days will come the day of days — judgment. Then the possession of some shall be "everlasting life," and the doom of others a shame and everlasting contempt." (Verses 1-3.) Let us carry away these related and suggestive thoughts — an individual life and path, the burden of singular duties, a separate judgment, and a personal reward. Listen to the voice of your God. He tells you to walk resolutely in the path of His choosing; He reminds you of the end of your earthly course; and predicts, for the obedient, untroubled rest and an enduring portion. "Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

(Matthew Braithwaite.)

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KJV: But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

WEB: But go you your way until the end; for you shall rest, and shall stand in your lot, at the end of the days.