Consider carefully my words

Consider carefully my words

Scripture: He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10:11-14

Observation: Daniel Chapter 10 speaks of a great vision and message given to Daniel concerning the future delivered by a powerful, angelic messenger.

In the chosen passage, we see first the angel addressing Daniel as one who is highly esteemed. God is just and impartial towards all men, but there are some who are special to God, and God views them highly because of their character and heart. Daniel was one such man, as were other heroes of the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, Enoch, Noah, David, Elijah, Peter and Paul. All of them had in common a deep love for God, humility and faith, qualities that we too should emulate to please God.

Daniel was then exhorted to consider carefully the words spoken to him, which was actually a message from God. The calling for us is the same. God’s Word is given to us that we may consider it carefully.

It was further written that Daniel set his mind to gain understanding and to humble himself before God. In the book of James, it says that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. It is a good thing to humbly seek wisdom from our all-wise, all-knowing God.

After that, the angel gives us a most interesting insight into the battle in the heavenly realms. In response to Daniel’s prayer, the angelic messenger had already been dispatched, but he was held back by the “prince of the Persian kingdom” who resisted him twenty-one days. There are satanic angels having authority over kingdoms all over the world, and they try to block the Word of God and answers to prayers from reaching God’s people. The message was so important, that Michael, one of the chief angels came to help this messenger overcome the powerful satanic angel over Persia.

We should accept too that sometimes our prayers are heard but deliverance may be delayed for certain reasons. It is for us then to keep praying and be patient. It should be noted too that in vs.3, when Daniel mourned for three weeks, fasting from choice food, meat, wine and lotions, it would definitely have had an impact in the battle in the spiritual realm.

Application: Desire to please God like Daniel. Study the characteristics of the great men and women who were highly esteemed by God. God’s Word given to us is precious, and it is for us to read it and consider carefully what it says. It is good for us to humble ourselves before God and ask Him for wisdom. With His wisdom, we are far better able to serve God by serving others. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Our war is spiritual in nature, and our weapons are in prayer and fasting. There is power in prayer in tongues, prayer in Jesus name, prayer using God’s Word.

Prayer: Dear Father, I pray that I may learn to please You like Your servants of old, like Daniel, like David, like Moses. Open my eyes to Your Word that I may know and understand. Grant me wisdom that I may live life wisely and be a blessing to others. Teach me to pray, that I may make a difference in the battles in the spiritual realm. Praise be to Your name forever dear Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.