Good day everyone. As I was in my secret place, seeking guidance on preparing the daily meal, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a time when Daniel was given a vision upon seeking the Lord. This morning I will share with you from Daniel 10. Some of you will read it and others will think it’s too much to read and just delete this message. Those that read on will be strengthened by the Word of God.
Today’s Prayer
Father, Christianity is on trial today. Our faith is being tried; deception, false gods, temptations and ridicule surround us. Help us Lord, for we can not stand alone. Help us to center our lives in You, then Your strength will be sufficient in our weakness. In the wonderful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Daniel’s vision of a messenger
Daniel 10:1-19
In the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) had another vision. It concerned events certain to happen in the future: times of great tribulation–wars and sorrows, and this time he understood what the vision meant. When this vision came to me (Daniel said later) I had been in mourning for three full weeks. All that time I tasted neither wine nor meat, and of course I went without desserts. I neither washed nor shaved nor combed my hair. Then one day early in April, as I was standing beside the great Tigris River, I looked up and suddenly there before me stood a person robed in linen garments, with a belt of purest gold around his waist, and glowing, lustrous skin! From his face came blinding flashes like lightning, and his eyes were pools of fire; his arms and feet shone like polished brass, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people. I, Daniel, alone saw this great vision; the men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly filled with unreasoning terror and ran to hide, and I was left alone. When I saw this frightening vision my strength left me, and I grew pale and weak with fright. Then he spoke to me, and I fell to the ground face downward in a deep faint. But a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And I heard his voice–“O Daniel, greatly beloved of God,” he said, “stand up and listen carefully to what I have to say to you, for God has sent me to you.” So I stood up, still trembling with fear. Then he said, “Don’t be frightened, Daniel, for your request has been heard in heaven and was answered the very first day you began to fast before the Lord and pray for understanding; that very day I was sent here to meet you. But for twenty-one days the mighty Evil Spirit who overrules the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help me, so that I was able to break through these spirit rulers of Persia. Now I am here to tell you what will happen to your people, the Jews, at the end times–for the fulfillment of this prophecy is many years away.” All this time I was looking down, unable to speak a word. Then someone–he looked like a man–touched my lips and I could talk again, and I said to the messenger from heaven, “Sir, I am terrified by your appearance and have no strength. How can such a person as I even talk to you? For my strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” Then the one who seemed to be a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. “God loves you very much,” he said; “don’t be afraid! Calm yourself; be strong–yes, strong!”Suddenly, as he spoke these words, I felt stronger and said to him, “Now you can go ahead and speak, sir, for you have strengthened me.”
Daniel received a vision that troubled him very much. He wanted understanding of this vision. He set himself out to understand the vision by fasting for three weeks. Three days after his three weeks of fasting, a messenger of God appeared to Daniel. The messenger explained that Heaven had heard his prayer from the first day, but the angel was temporarily prevented from coming by the prince of Persia, a demon angel, who sought to thwart God’s messenger from coming to Daniel. There are times in our lives when we must set ourselves to seeking God with all our hearts. It is in these times that we hear from Heaven in ways we may never have experienced before. Daniel’s perseverance in prayer was rewarded with a personal encounter with Heaven. However, in order to receive from God, Daniel had to be left alone, have his strength removed, and be placed in a helpless condition. When we have no ability in our own strength to move Heaven or the events around us, we are in position to hear from Heaven. It is the acknowledgment of our humanity and our frailness that places us in a position to have a personal encounter with the living God.
Do you need a personal encounter with God today?
Do you need God to intervene on your behalf?
Seek Him with all your heart. Demonstrate to Him you are serious. Get alone and acknowledge your helpless condition before Him. He will reward you with His presence.
Quote of the Day
Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. -James I (J. I.) Packer
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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