Daniel ~ Chapter Ten
"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth,
nor did I anoint myself at all,
till three whole weeks were fulfilled."
(Daniel 10:2, 3)
Morning Meditation: Read Daniel 10:1-9
The Word of God tell us that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Daniel's intercession on behalf of the Jewish exiles exemplifies the power of prevailing prayer. In his impassioned plea in chapter nine, Daniel demonstrated the kind of prayer that captures the ear of God and receives an answer. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2b). His earnest prayer was framed in praise as he extolled the greatness and power of Israel's covenant keeping God, and the heart of his prayer was rooted in humble contrition for the numerous sins of God's wayward people, of which he accepted personal responsibility. "And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day - we have sinned, we have done wickedly" (9:15). Daniel's diligent study of Scripture revealed the cause of his people's present captivity was their own sinfulness in disobeying God's laws and refusing to obey God's prophets, who had been sent repeatedly to warn them of the coming disaster if they did not turn from their wicked ways. His research revealed the remedy - repentance! Daniel was humbled by the Word of God, it had done its' cutting work and pierced his heart (Hebrews 4:12), and he responded as a penitent. With prayer and fasting, Daniel mourned the sins of his nation which had brought this terrible disaster upon God's chosen people and His holy land. Daniel's confession was not mere lip service; while others were praying for judgment to fall upon the Babylonian's, Daniel humbled himself with sackcloth and ashes and sought God's forgiveness, that His promises of restoration would be realized. Daniel stood in the gap, just as other faithful intercessors had in Israel's turbulent history, who cried out on behalf of the people of God and delivered the nation from judgment (i.e. Moses (Exodus 32:7-14); Elijah (1 Kings 18); Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20)). Knowing that God works through the confident, contrite, believing prayers of a single intercessor should cause each of us to take our prayer life seriously!
Daniel's life of prayer is a masterclass in the art of intercession. He was a worshiper who humbly and confidently sought the restoration of his nation that God might be glorified. Over the course of his lifetime, Daniel had seen firsthand the invading forces of enemy armies and the destruction of his homeland; he had watched the head of Babylon fall into the arms of the Medo-Persian Empire; and he faithfully served at the highest levels of authority in the land of his captivity, bringing honor and glory to the Most High God in his daily ministry as well as in times of trial and persecution. Though the temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins and he was dwelling in a pagan land, Daniel kept the daily times of prayer and observed the Jewish feasts. "In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled" (vv. 2-3). An older man now, Daniel had begun to see the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy, as the first group of Jewish exiles returned to the land to rebuild the temple and the city. Sadly, the work was being opposed and finally was stopped after the foundation was laid (Ezra 4:4, 5, 24). For three weeks Daniel fasted and prayed and sought the face of the Lord for the future of his people. Three days later, God's faithful praying servant received an awesome sight:
"I lifted my eyes and looked,
and behold, a certain man clothed in linen,
whose waist was girded like gold of Uphaz!
His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning,
his eyes like torches of fire,
his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color,
and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude."
(Daniel 10:5, 6)
After years of faithful ministry in a foreign land, Daniel was rewarded with a wondrous encounter with the glorified Christ. He had seen the Son of Man at the throne of the Ancient of Days (7:13), but now the glorious Man stood before him; a sight so terrible that the men with him fled in fear, leaving Daniel all alone with his strength slowly ebbing away. At the sound of His thunderous voice Daniel fell into a deep sleep (v. 9). Ezekiel provided a similar description of the glory of God (Ezekiel 1:25-28), and the exiled apostle John gave a parallel description of the triumphant, risen Christ (Revelation 1:12-16). Daniel could hardly bear the sight of the vision, it so overwhelmed his spirit that all his strength was stripped from him. "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?" (Malachi 3:2a). The answer is, no one! Humans are frail and weak in the presence of Almighty God. Even His invisible Presence makes men tremble. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel that "was true, but the appointed time was long" (v. 1). Times of suffering and trial lay ahead for his people and God's humble servant sought the face of the Lord for understanding, and he was given the whole Glorious Man! The Messiah King-Priest revealed Himself in the same manner to His two faithful exiles - one in Babylon and one on Patmos - and provided both men with visions of the latter days of His people. Their prayers provided revelation of future events for the generations ahead to find encouragement and instruction. May the revelation of God provided in the Scriptures encourage and strengthen our hearts, as we remain steadfast in prayer and diligent in our study of the Word. Let us strive to keep our hearts pure before the Lord, so that we, like Daniel, might see Him as He truly is, and adore Him, and share the knowledge of Him, as we ought (Matthew 5:8). "...keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen" (1 Timothy 6:14-16).
"Do not fear,
for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said,
"LORD, open his eyes that he may see."
Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.
And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
(2 Kings 6:16, 17)
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Afternoon Devotion: Read Daniel 10:10-21
The divine encounter with the Glorious Man impacted Daniel so deeply that it left him in a puddle on the ground, until a hand touched him and brought him to his hands and knees (v. 10); and eventually helped him up to a standing position, with knees knocking (v. 11). Daniel, like the apostle John, was a man greatly beloved of the Lord. They each held a special relationship with the Lord, yet despite their intimate knowledge of the Lord, both dropped like dead men before the divine Presence. The apostle John had walked with the Lord during His earthly ministry; he even rested his head on the Lord's bosom (John 13:23), but the sight of the glorified Lord reduced him to a dead man (Revelation 1:17). It was the touch from heaven that brought Daniel to his knees, set him on his feet, and eventually enabled him to open his mouth and carry on a conversation. He was supernaturally strengthened so that he would be able to receive the message that was of such great importance that the "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesian 6:12) opposed it. The wicked prince of Persia attempted to detain the messenger so that Daniel would be prevented from hearing God's revelation of the latter days, but the Lord dispatched His archangel Michael, "the great prince who stands watch" over the people of God (Daniel 12:1), and the message was conveyed.
"Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel,
for from the first day that you set you heart to understand,
and to humble yourself before your God,
your words were heard;
and I have come because of your words."
(Daniel 10:12)
Daniel had proved faithful in the many physical battles he faced during his earthly pilgrimage. He was resolute in his desire to not be defiled by the corrupt culture he was forced to live in, and he was even more determined to bring honor to the Holy One of Israel in the midst of an idolatrous land, bearing testimony that "the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:25b, 32b; 5:21b). Daniel had been found faithful with all that he had been entrusted from the Lord, and was rewarded with even greater revelation (Matthew 25:21, 23). God opened Daniel's eyes to see the invisible war that was going on in the heavenly realm - a sight that far exceeded anything he had seen with his physical eyes on the earth. "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" (v. 13). While he had been praying and fasting for understanding, Daniel was unknowingly participating in a cosmic battle that was being waged to prevent his reception of the divine message. Satan and his army of fallen angels are busy opposing the work of God, but our Lord Jesus defeated Satan and his evil angels through His work on the cross. "...And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:14b, 15). Our prayers, like Daniel's, play an essential role in the spiritual battles that war in the heavenly realm. It is our neglect of prayer that leaves us weak and exposes us to the enemies assaults. With the visible assault that is raging against the church today, to keep the sanctuary doors closed and the mouths of worshipers shut, it is absolutely vital that believer's pray fervently for those in authority, so that God's purposes, not Satan's evil plans, be accomplished in their lives (1 Timothy 2:1-3). May this be the year that 20/20 spiritual vision is restored to the church, so that we will see the vast heavenly army that is surrounding us, and have courage to take a stand against the evil that is sweeping across the land. May our eyes be opened to see the Glorious Man who is before us, leading us, and dispatching His angels to strengthen the armies of God for the battle that is before us, with these words: "Fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" (Daniel 10:19a). Let us go forth in praise knowing, like Daniel did, that the battle isn't over yet! We must continue to pray!
"Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - "
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
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Evening Prayer: "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." (Daniel 6:10)
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As we travel through the Book of Daniel
we want to focus on following the example of his faith,
but as we do, let us prayerfully consider setting aside
Tuesdays as "fast" days,
as we feast upon the goodness and grace of our Lord this summer
(consider a full day fast, a partial fast, or a Daniel fast (1:12))
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Scripture Meditations for the Week:
Wednesday: Ezekiel 1:1-28
Thursday: Revelation 1:9-20
Friday: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Saturday: Matthew 17:14-21
Sunday: Ephesians 6:10-18
Monday: 2 Kings 6:16, 17
Journal:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Memory Verse for the Week:
"I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold,
a certain man clothed in linen,
whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning,
his eyes like torches of fire,
his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color,
and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude."
(Daniel 10:5, 6)
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"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
and your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me, hear, and your soul shall live."
(Isaiah 55:2, 3a)
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Setting the world on fire for Christ ~ One heart at a time!
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TESTIFY to the gospel of the grace of God
a 12-week devotional prayer and fasting journey through the Book of Daniel
copyright (c) 2020 Traci A. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., and the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
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"But none of these things move me;
nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"
(Acts 20:24)
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