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Basic Bible: God Strengthens Daniel

Daniel 10:10-19

“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands” (v. 10). Daniel had to be picked up because he was lying on his face. He had been overwhelmed by the appearance of an angel (v. 5-8). Every bit of strength had been drained from his body.

Daniel 10 begins with a vision which Daniel understood to be of events that would occur in the distant future (v. 1). The vision prompted Daniel to enter into a period of mourning such that he might gain understanding (v. 2-3). God responded to Daniel’s actions by sending the angel which now spoke to him.

The angel addressed Daniel by name and called him greatly beloved. The angel touched Daniel (v. 10) and instructed him (v. 11) to stand and understand the words which he would speak. Daniel stood trembling. Little wonder — he was in the presence of a messenger from God and he was about to receive information through that messenger. The words which the angel would speak to him and have him understand are all things concerning end time prophecy which Daniel was shown in this book. Daniel understood and obeyed the instruction to “shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end” (Dan. 12:1).

New Testament believers know and understand that much of what the angel revealed to Daniel has transpired and we look to the fulfillment of that which is yet to come. We err, however, if we neglect to focus upon the text before us. The Holy Spirit authored the words before us such that we might understand and respond in the manner in which God intends. It is His will that all should come to repentance.

Verse 12 reveals that the angel was sent on the first day that Daniel sought understanding. The angel was three weeks en route. It was not God’s intent that His messenger be so long in coming. The angel told Daniel (and us) that he was delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. Who is this prince? He is Satan or an agent of Satan who opposes God’s will.

Satan has not changed and God has not changed. God has given us understanding such that we may act upon His word. Satan does not want believers to read and understand. Today, Satan is alive and well. All who believe God are belittled and ridiculed by them who believe the serpent’s lies. Believers of today are in a situation that is not so different from that which Daniel faced.

There are things which God would have all believers know and understand. The text before us cries out. God will not allow them who love Him to be blinded by Satan — the angel addresses Daniel as “a man greatly beloved” (v. 11). In the instance of Daniel, God sent one of His most powerful angels, Michael, to help the angel who had been delayed. The angel could now reveal that which God wanted revealed — understanding of “what shall befall thy people in the latter days” (v. 14).

Believers should read verse 13 and rejoice. God the Father sent His archangel Michael to oppose the Prince of Persia such that Daniel might know and understand. God wants His people to know and understand. God the Father has given us a better covenant. We have been given the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things and brings all needful things into remembrance (John 14:26). God will not allow them who love Him to be blinded by Satan (see Matt. 24:24).

Upon hearing the angel’s words, Daniel was physically weakened. He possessed no power and was speechless. Then, an amazing thing happened — a being with the appearance of a man touched his lips and he was able to speak. While we have little specific knowledge of the one who touched Daniel, we know that he was sent by God to strengthen Daniel such that Daniel might record that which he was shown.

Daniel asked the angel: “For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord?” The one with the appearance of a man touched Daniel a second time (v. 18) and he was strengthened. Daniel had to be touched twice but he now was ready to hear the message which God intended for him to receive.

Consider the picture which the Holy Spirit has placed before us. The angel was not sent because Daniel had mourned for three full weeks. The angel was dispatched when Daniel began to mourn. The angel was sent because Daniel was beloved. Why was Daniel beloved? It was not because he was righteous. There are none who are righteous (Rom. 3:12, Ps. 14:3). Daniel was beloved because he believed God. Daniel believed God in the same manner in which Abraham believed God. God counts belief for righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

It was not by chance that the Lord delayed in sending Michael to aid the angel against the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The delay allows all who have eyes to see and ears to hear to understand God’s love. God loves all who shall believe. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). It is by grace, and grace alone, that God counts belief for righteousness.

God used Daniel to reveal His love to all who will believe and receive. May all New Testament believers let that which we have received reach out to the unseeing and the unhearing.

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