"Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words." Daniel:12:12
The Prophet Daniel sought the Lord God of Israel, in the third year of Cyrus King of Persia.It was the end of the Seventy years of captivity that had been spoken of by the Prophet Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 29,) yet the people of Israel had not made any move to return to their land that God had given to them. Daniel was moved to understand why his people stayed in the land of their captivity and not returned home.
Sought Understanding
This realization concerned the Prophet so he sought to understand and set himself to seek Gods' answer as to why. For three weeks Daniel fasted and prayed for understanding.
"In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled "Daniel:10:2-3
Daniel made understanding a priority, he enlisted the help of others who would pray along with him for God to send an answer to the situation. Daniel and those who agreed to assist in prayer gathered on the banks of the Tigris River, here together they sought Gods' answer.
God Responds
After three week of committed prayer the Lord answers Daniel.
"And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
(Tigris )Then
I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in
linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His
body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of
lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like
in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice
of a multitude."(4-6)
Daniel finds God's answer in a vision of a glorious angelic encounter, the angel appears as the representative of God Himself . The angels glorious appearance is to stress that the One truly being encounters is God Himself , the One Who would come through the incarnation in the Person of Jesus Christ.
"Then I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude".(5-6)
Daniels' encounter here is similar to the Apostle John's on the Island of Patmos where John sees the Glorified Jesus.
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. "Revelation:1:12-16.
Encounter Christ
Both the Prophet and the Apostle encounter the Supernatural realty of God. This encounter with the Great God reveals the One Who Daniel seeks. This is not only for Daniel or other Biblical personalities but for all Who will seek God. That is, in prayer there is revelation given about Our Lord . That when we seek Him and His purpose we will encounter Jesus. In prayer we gain insight and discernment of the Spiritual and above all, we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Opens Our Eyes
Prayer gives us spiritual perception, we can see this in Daniel's encounter, he was committed to revelation from God the others offered prayerful support but fled in fear when that revelation came. Only he saw the vission.
"And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not
the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, so that they fled to hide
themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision" Daniel:10:7-8
We again can see how prayer gives us spiritual perception in the case of Elisha's servant , who was filled with fear when the enemies of Israel threaten the town of Dothan. Elisha prayed and his servants eyes were opened to the power of God represented by Chariots of Fire upon the hill tops. 2Kings:6:15-17
That same power is available to us today as well, prayer opens our eyes to God's power for each of us.That God has the power to deliver us in any and all circumstance even when it seems hopeless.
Touched Before Christ
Daniel at his encounter with the Great God falls as if lifeless , no strength as if to emphasizes the futility of the power of the flesh. He falls before the Lord. This tells us that there is no strength found within us. In a posture of prayerful worship is where we all should be in relationship with our Lord. It is here that His voice is best heard.
"for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Yet
heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his
words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the
ground."Daniel:10:8b-9
As the Prophet is before the Lord he is touched by the very hand of God, that is in a powerful way our Lord is giving affirmation and assurances that Daniels' prayers are heard and will be answered. When God touches our lives it is no mere symbolism it is to tell us that we mater to Him, we are loved ,wanted and included in His divine purposes. His touch give strength and comfort and encouragement.,to lift us up to stand in Him.
"And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And
he said to me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words
that I speak to you, and stand upright: for to you am I now sent. And
when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling" (10-11)
In like manner the Apostle John is touched by the Pierced hand of our Lord Jesus even as he, like Daniel falls before the Lord and is comforted by the words, "do not be afraid". Jesus then gives revelation to John just as He did for Daniel.
Jesus will do the same for each of us, when we pray and encounter the living Christ He will touch each of us and give us revelation. Help us to understand the things we face in life.
"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later."Revelation:1:17-19
We all should when we enter prayer encounter or Lord. The One that Daniel and John encounter is the same Jesus that we too can bow before and seek understanding in times of uncertainty when we need to understand, to have straight, to be comforted , to be given assurances that He is with us, that His will will be accomplished and none can stop it.
From the moment that Daniel set himself to understanding it was determined by God that and answer was to come, in spite of opposition God's answer was to come. This Great God is with us even now , even if answers to the challenges we face seemed to be delayed God will answer us in our times of need and give us revelation that we need.
"Then said he to me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you
did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your
God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words. But
the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days:
but, see, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I
remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days."Daniel:10:12-14
The Prophet Jeremiah wrote of God's willingness to answer our prayers in when he quotes the Great God.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah:33:3
This is what Daniel did and so might we.
Opposition
When Daniel sought understanding there was opposition in the spiritual realm that sought to resit Daniel receiving the answer to his prayer.
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty
days: but, see, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I
remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days." Daniel:10:13-14
However this opposition was manifested its comes from the spiritual powers in the world around us as Paul wrote the battle is not against flesh and blood but spiritual. Ephesians:6:12
In the early years of the Christian Church there was opposition to the message of the Gospel, the church dealt with this opposition that came through the religious leaders by taking their pleas to the very Throne of God, we see this in Acts:4:27-31.
The church prayed and they were empowered and embolden to preach the message of our Lord Jesus. The church prayed and God answered.
The Answer
Daniel is now, after receiving the answer to his prayer , overwhelmed by the import of the revelation, he bows down again; what he has heard is hard to receive.
"And when he had spoken such words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.And,
behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips:
then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me,
O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I have
retained no strength.For
how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for
me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there
breath left in me." Daniel:10:15-17
God responds again to reassure the Prophet that God is in complete control and will provide Daniel the help he needs, that God's purpose will be carried out in the life of Israel and even Daniels' life.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,And
said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be to you, be strong, yes,
be strong. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened, and said,
Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me. Then
said he, Know you why I come to you? and now will I return to fight
with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, see, the prince of
Grecia shall come. But
I will show you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and
there is none that holds with me in these things, but Michael your
prince." (18-21)
The Lord Jesus Christ will help us today as well, when times and circumstance are difficult , and opposition rises against God's working in our lives, what ever we face God is there to help us, He invites each and all to call out to Him and He will help us regardless of what we face.
When we pray we will encounter our Lord Jesus Christ and receive from Him all that is needed. We gain insight, and power to face all that is before, all through coming to Our Lord in Prayer. In Prayer we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.
Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor
The
Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.
2101 Old National Pike.
Washington,
Pennsylvania.
www.gcfountainoflife.org
The
Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in
Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM in the Arden Fair Grounds area
of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela,
Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com
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