DANIEL 10
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 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. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” – Daniel 10:10-17
DANIEL 10 ON FACING SPIRITUAL BATTLE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you communicate with God through prayers
Some forces may hinder you to get them answered
Be wary of these unseen forces that can delay your progress
These battles can also make you grow your endurance.
In this account, we witness Daniel’s encounter in the spiritual realm where he was in the presence of two men. The man who was speaking to Daniel in this vision and also another man. Some scholars believe that the man in the vision was an angel giving Daniel the interpretation of his dreams. The second man was the king of Persia who delayed the answers to Daniel for twenty-one days. I do believe that this account focuses on exposing the spiritual battles we face daily as did Daniel encountered in this narrative.
Daniel fasted for 21 days as was spoken in the earlier chapter. We can learn from Daniel the importance of letting go of our appetites so we can hear God more clearly.
REFLECTION
- How can we grow our spiritual muscles and win the battles we face daily?
