My Weekly Thought
Daniel 10:10-18 10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” 15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. 16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. 17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” 18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”
Daniel 10:10-18 NLT
This Scripture from Daniel is often overlooked. Why is this? Probably it has to do with the fear and trepidation most of us have when it comes to reading, studying, and understanding the book of Daniel. Daniel and Revelation often get “overlooked” because we do not understand much of what is written in these two books.
I remember a few years ago, I went to a conference on the book of Daniel. I was excited to learn from a seminary trained teacher what the book was about. Much to my dismay, we only waded into the first few chapters- the part I hoped to learn about sadly wasn’t touched on.
Even though it can be confusing, I have found that the book of Daniel offers much to the person willing to venture past the first few chapters. This morning I have been studying chapter ten of Daniel. This chapter is about Daniel’s effective prayer life. What a fascinating chapter full of nuggets of truth for us to find!
There are two “aha” moments I want us to focus on here today. First, we see words in verse ten that are repeated in eighteen. Repeated words in Scripture are usually a clue that something important is being said. Both verses say, “…you are very precious to God.” These words were pretty spectacular for Daniel to hear.
Let those words sink in for a minute!
An angel standing before Daniel brings the message, that you, Daniel, are very precious to God. Charles Spurgeon said, “I know of no greater blessing that can happen to any man and woman here, than to be assured by the Spirit of God that they are greatly beloved of the Lord.” I agree with Spurgeon; having the confident assurance of being precious to God is life-changing.
Isn’t this something all people crave, to be considered precious? Maybe you are wondering if you are precious to God.
The truth is, YOU are!
Perhaps, you need to hear this truth today.
Just like Daniel was precious to God, God loves all his children, and every life is precious. That my friend, includes YOU! The word precious here is also translated in the Legacy Standard Bible as highly esteemed. Not only are you precious, but you are highly esteemed!
Isn’t this a great truth?
OK, let’s move on to the second “aha” moment. Verse twelve in the NLT says, “I have come in answer to your prayer.” The ESV says it this way, “I have come because of your words.”
Daniel 10:12 ESV
Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
Now this is a big aha because we find out that an angel was sent out to visit Daniel because of Daniel’s prayer. His words, his prayer, had somehow moved God to send an angel.
So here is what we need to remember: God does hears our prayers and he does send help.
In his commentary on these verses, David Guzik said, “We can’t pass this over lightly. An angel was dispatched because of Daniel’s prayer. This is another of many reminders in the Book of Daniel that prayer matters. It isn’t merely a therapeutic exercise for the one who prays.”
Prayer is challenging for many. It isn’t easy for me and it may not be easy for you. But prayer is powerful and requires a commitment to communicate with the God of the universe. We may never know how the spiritual world has been moved by the prayers we offer to God, but we do know that God uses those prayers to train us to rely on him, bring healing and hope, and strengthen and aid his people.
So, the next time you think, why should I pray? Remember the words from the book of Daniel, “I have come because of your WORDS.”
I am excited to announce the launch of my new YOUVERSION reading plan,
Turning Ashes into Beauty!
Turning Ashes Into Beauty
Life is messy! Sometimes we need to own the messiness; sometimes, it is just part of living in a sinful world. God takes the struggles and hardships of this world and redeems them. We need to know this truth that God is faithfully at work as we encounter our world. Join Anne Farnum over the next five days and discover what to do with the ashes you hold.
Anne Farnum 