Daniel Unlocked #68. A Man Precious to God.
How beautiful are the words spoken to Daniel by the being that touched him as he trembled during the vision; “Daniel, you are very precious to God…” Daniel 10:11 NLT. Other versions have words like “you are treasured” (NASB) or “greatly beloved” (NRSV, NKJV) The same words are repeated in v19.
Daniel 10 introduces the concluding vision of Daniel, which continues in chapters 11 and 12. We are informed at the outset that this vision concerns a “great conflict” (Dan. 10:1). The NLT translates v1 as Daniel “understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.” The word ‘certain’ reminds me that everything has fallen into place, through the play and counterplay of human history, exactly as foretold 2500 years ago and we only await the last few verses, which are ‘certain’ to fall into place just as everything else has.
While Daniel 11 fleshes out some details of this conflict, Daniel 10 shows its spiritual dimensions and reveals that behind the scenes of earthly battles rages a spiritual conflict of cosmic proportions. As we study this chapter, we shall see that when we pray, we engage in this cosmic conflict in a way that has profound repercussions.
But we are not alone in our struggles; Jesus engages the battle against Satan on our behalf.
We shall learn that the ultimate fight we are engaged in is not against earthly human powers but the powers of darkness. As the apostle Paul put it centuries after Daniel: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Ultimately, our success in the conflict rests on Jesus Christ, who alone defeated Satan at the cross. Our allegiance to Him is our eternal security.
In the first three verses of Daniel 11 we find him fasting and praying. Most likely he is fasting and praying over the situation of his people, many of whom have just returned to Palestine with Ezra. Ezra 4:1-5 indicates the challenges they were facing in rebuilding. The Samaritans (those who had been put there to replace the Jews when they had been deported,) were sending false reports to the Persian court to try and halt the reconstruction work.
In the face of such a crisis, for three weeks, 90 year old Daniel pleads with God to influence Cyrus to allow the work to continue. He does not think about himself but about his people and the challenges that they face. And he persists in prayer for three full weeks before receiving any answer from God. During this time, the prophet follows a very modest diet, abstaining from choice food and even fragrant lotions. He is totally unconcerned about his comfort and appearance, but he is deeply concerned about the welfare of his fellow Jews in Jerusalem 1600 kms away.
I would benefit from Daniel’s example of persistence in prayer even when there were no apparent answers – for 3 weeks. I would also benefit by his example of praying for others. We call this intercessory prayer. Notice also how his prayer prompted a response from God. So, let us pray always, all kinds of prayers! In the face of unbearable trials, big problems, and overwhelming challenges, let us take our burdens to God in prayer (Eph. 6:18). Daniel 10:12 tells us that his prayers were heard from the outset, but it took time for the answer to be achieved. It also tells us that prayer is not just a subjective experience to make us feel good, but something objective, that can move God.
Amen 🙏 praise be to God for his love for all of us and his faithful prohets.
Thank you pastor Ross for sharing this study with us 🙏🙏