Daniel 10

Read Daniel 10

In the final chapters of Daniel the Lord revealed to His prophet amazing events that involved details regarding many future centuries. God's servant in exile had been “mourning for three weeks” when a heavenly emissary appeared to him in an overwhelming vision. What was the greeting from God's ambassador? “Fear not, Daniel!” The Lord used this mighty being from on high to explain His love for Daniel and to help him understand the future unfolding of the providence of the Almighty in heavenly realms that would have an impact on what would one day take place upon the earth.

Later in Daniel 10 encouragement and strengthening came when “another one having the appearance of a man touched me.” The words that Daniel then heard were similar to Moses' message to Joshua during the transition from one generation to the next so many years before. “Be strong and of good courage.”

The power that Daniel needed for his life as a man of faith would not come from having the support of earthly rulers. Only the greatest heavenly Authority and the sure Word of His decrees would bring about the victory of God at just the right time.

The story of this concluding vision continues for two more chapters, but already three observations should be noted. First, the God of heaven was able to send a reliable guide to His people during this time of profound darkness and sorrow. Second, earthly events that may have seemed random to many were clearly connected to struggles in spiritual realms that they could not see. Finally, as New Testament believers we now know that a decisive victory has already been won by Jesus, who came from heaven to save us.

The triumph of Christ through the cross and the resurrection does not mean that all of our troubles are over. Like the hymn writer, we must wait until “the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend.” What do we do as we look for the culmination of the Lord's perfect plan? Because of our faith in the Son of God and the revelation that is ours in the Scriptures, we can sing, “Even so, it is well with my soul.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, there are troubling things all around us that we do not understand. Our comfort is that You have planned everything. We are able to stand only because You are in charge. The earthly days of the Old Testament prophets are long gone. They now live above where Your Son is at Your right hand. They once longed to understand the visions and messages that came to them, but now they see Your face and live with Your people who have been perfected in holiness. We thank You for the coming of Jesus Christ and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. We have been granted increased clarity about Your eternal plan through these great events, yet there is so much that we do not know, and so much that we do not comprehend. Your prophets of old trusted You when they spoke of great things little by little and in various ways. Help us to keep our eyes focused upon Your Son who has spoken so wonderfully to us in His life, death, and resurrection. Teach us to trust You with our lives.