Scripture:
Daniel 10:10-21 NKJV
[10] Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. [11] And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. [12] Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. [13] But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. [14] Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” [15] When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. [16] And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. [17] For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.” [18] Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. [19] And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” [20] Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. [21] But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
Observation:
Daniel was a man of resolve, a man who gad a connection to the LORD through not only his dedication to living a life that brought HIM honor but through his prayer life as well. His concern for the Hebrew people and their lives was to be noted. Having had a vision that brought him to a point that he needed understanding, he did what he knew how to do, he hit his knees seeking answers for what he had seen. I’m sure the delay in the answer took him by surprise. After all he had been through this before, interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s prayer not just once but twice, in chapter 2, and in chapter 4, of the book named after him. Seemingly receiving those answers almost immediately, the delay was out of the ordinary. Fasting , praying, mourning, and humbling himself to seek understanding for what he had seen, was his only focus. As the answer arrived it came with a subtle touch that made Daniel shiver on his knees. The way he was addressed was incredible yet gives us a great idea of how the LORD feels about us, “O Daniel, man greatly loved. The angel wanted Daniel to know exactly how the LORD felt about him. There was a love that the LORD had for him that he needed to hear and feel. As the Angel asked him not only to understand what he was about to say but stand to his feet as well. However, that did not stop the trembling. I could only imagine what that moment must have been like, in the presence of an angel. There had to be a level of fear that was overwhelming. As the Angel addressed him, he could see that, therefore the first words he said was to bring a peace to Daniel’s spirit. Reassuring him that from the first day he had prayed, his prayer was heard. The delay didn’t come from a lack of love or the fact that his words were not heard. There is a spiritual battle that is taking place all around him which delayed his answer. Reinforcements were needed. That statement made Daniel turn his head to the ground speechless. That’s when the situation elevated. One that had the likeness of the SON of man touched Daniel on the lips. This statement brings a few scriptures to mind, Jeremiah chapter 1, and Isaiah chapter 6. Daniel’s strength had been depleted from the fasting and prayer, the sorrow he felt for the Hebrew people was overwhelming, and much like Isaiah and Jeremiah the question came to him, being in the presence of what most scholars believe to be the preincarnation of Christ HIMSELF, left him to realize that his strength was basically non existent, and the moment had left him breathless. Again we go back to that description of this one angel, “One having the likeness of the SON of MAN” touched him and strengthened him as this particular angel touched him he reminded him of the love of GOD. Daniel had come to the end of himself, he could not rest in his own strength… it was gone, he had to have strength that did not come from him. More than willing to listen he makes the request for the one having the likeness of the son of man to speak. This encounter left Daniel renewed, strengthened, and prepared, and having the answers he requested. Which if you continue to read through this book you will find in the following chapter.
Application:
Have you ever wondered if the LORD was ever going to answer your prayer? I know I have. In fact there have been times when I have waited several years for what I thought was an answer only to find out it was just another distraction. You see there is a whole world that is operating all around us that we are unaware of. There is a battle that is consistently taking place that can and has delayed our request. What I want you to know this morning is that your prayers are heard. The very day you lifted them up they came to the ear of your Father in heaven, and that very day the answer was dispatched to you. It’s not that you are not loved, and it’s not that HE didn’t hear you, because HE did, but the battle you can’t physically see may have detained your answer…. Don’t stop seeking, don’t stop humbling yourself. The answer is at the end of you. In fact the answer is Christ, HE has finished the work and trusting in HIM that HE has already fought the battle that left you at the end of you is exactly what needed to happen to get you to the answer. Here is what I have found in life, that as long as I think I still have answers I will never get the answer I need. It’s all about our desperate need for Christ, and the humility it takes to come to the end of us. For me today the only answer I have is the only answer I need… It’s Jesus. Over the years I have come to the end of myself several times in a jail cell or in a homeless camp, but none the less the end of myself… the very end of my strength. Only then can GOD strengthen us. I don’t know where you are and I don’t know what you have prayed for…. But what I do know is tgat your prayers have been heard, and the answer is on the way. Don’t stop praying,don’t stop seeking. GOD hears you and you are greatly loved, the answer is on the way. Humble yourself before the almighty GOD, don’t stop doing so get on your face before HIM with reverence and awe remembering exactly who HE is. Don’t lose heart, HE hears you and HE knows your needs. HE is “I AM” and that’s all we need to know. The answer is on the way. It’s at the end of you.
Prayer:
Father, we know you hear us, and you have not given up on us. We know that you are not slack in your promises, but your desire is that we come to the end of ourselves. Today we just want to surrender. We don’t have any answers, so we lift up our prayers to you, knowing that you know way more than we do. We have come to the end of ourselves. So all we can ask is that you fill us with who you are. Father fill us with your Holy Spirit. Fill us with the fruit that comes from HIS presence in our lives. Today we know that you have all the answers and if we will seek you first everything else will fall right into place. Nothing goes unnoticed by you. So today we just want to thank you for answering our prayers, even if we have not seemingly received that answer. We pray over the spiritual battle that is taking place right now. Thank you for showing us that the victory has already been won. It allows us to know that our confidence is placed on the right person. Here we are LORD wholeheartedly surrendered to you in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.