Daniel 10 (NRSV)
The prophet reveals a final vision concerning the future reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but looking beyond his reign to another that culminates at the end of the age. (The Reformation Bible)
Conflict of Nations and Heavenly Powers
In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia
By this time, the first wave of exiles had returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra (Ezra 1-2).
a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The word was true, and it concerned a great conflict. He understood the word, having received understanding in the vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks. 3 I had eaten no rich food, no meat or wine had entered my mouth, and I had not anointed myself at all, for the full three weeks.
Some think that Daniel was in mourning because so few Jews had returned with Ezra from exile. Others believe it was because Ezra faced severe opposition in rebuilding the temple.
Daniel did not go back with Ezra’s group of exiles because he was about 84 years old at this time. Daniel could serve the exiles better from his high position in government than he could with them in Jerusalem.
–David Guzik (and all following comments in red)
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris), 5 I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude.
The Man upon the Waters. digital art by Ted Larson.
The description of this angel carries with it much of the same glory as belonging to the Lord:
Revelation 1:12-16 (NIV)
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; the people who were with me did not see the vision, though a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone to see this great vision. My strength left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to the ground.
Daniel was undone by the vision of this glorious man. As Hebrews 10:30 puts it, “It is a fearful (other translations say dreadful, or terrible) thing to fall into the hands of the living God!”
10 But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
We can’t pass this over lightly. An angel was dispatched because of Daniel’s prayer. This is another of many reminders in the Book of Daniel that prayer matters. It isn’t merely a therapeutic exercise for the one who prays.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia
Since this prince was able to oppose the angelic messenger to Daniel, we know this was more than a man. This prince was some kind of angelic being, and we know he was an evil angelic being because he opposed the word of God coming to Daniel and stood against the angelic messenger.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
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.
opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes,
Michael is elsewhere in Scripture depicted as a commander of the holy angels (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7). Here is a glimpse of spiritual battles waged in heavenly places and affecting events on earth (cf. Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9). (The Reformation Bible)
came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, 14 and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.”
15 While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one in human form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and said to the one who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. 19 He said, “Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
‘Peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.’
Daniel 10:19
The great question is—What is the secret of spiritual strength? How is it to be attained?
Notice the order of the words of the heavenly messenger when he spoke to Daniel. They are suggestive. He places ‘peace’ before ‘strength.’ ‘Strength’ must have a foundation. And as you feel quite at peace with God, you have a foundation. In this, as in everything else, pardon come first. Then you are upon a rock. There must be quietness: and there is no real quietness till the soul sits pardoned at the feet of Christ.
I. Therefore the beginning of ‘strength’ is to be at peace.—Do not doubt God’s love. Accept, as a sinner, the free grace of the sinner’s Friend. And do not be afraid to be happy.
Then, having Christ, you can fulfil the Apostle’s command to the Ephesians, ‘Be strong.’ But St. Paul does not only say ‘Be strong,’ for that would be mockery, but he adds that which makes it possible,—‘Be strong in the Lord.’ Now, what does that mean?
II. It is to have ‘the Word’ drawn upon, and its promises.—‘Be strong in the written Word.’ Work with the promises, and you will be ‘strong.’ No one who has not yet tried it can tell how the Bible, or even one verse of the Bible, can strengthen a man—his intellect, his will, his affections. If a man will but let God’s Word come in, and sink, and dwell in his heart, it will do its own work there of itself, and make you a strong character.
III. Then there is the Presence of Christ.—Think what it would be—if we could only realise it—if you had Christ always at your side. ‘Fear not! I am with you.’ How brave and strong a little child can be when it holds a hand it loves! Moses: ‘If Thy Presence go not with us, take us not up hence.’ ‘My Presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,’ that is ‘strength.’ Christ with us.
IV. But you have more than that. You have Himself.—Himself in you, and you in Himself. Actual oneness; and by that oneness His strength runs into your weakness. The energy of that life and of that heart flows into you by virtue of mystical union. What a marvel! What an unfathomable fountain of infinite power! ‘What can I not do, if I am one with Christ?’ It ceases to be an hyperbole. It is a literal fact. ‘I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.’
V. But there is a further secret of strength—exercise, the use, the faithful use of what you possess.—The agitation of the tree strengthens the branch, and makes the root firmer.
The limb I move most, and use most, is the limb which has the greater power. And the grace which is turned to best account in active service grows the fastest. If you were a busier Christian you would be a stronger Christian. God gives you many things which become paralysed by disuse! Partly by natural cause and effect, but still more by the supernatural grace which is added, ‘workers for God’ ‘grow strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.’
Here, then, are five great strengtheners; peace, the Word of Christ, the Presence of Christ, and union with Christ, and an active, useful life.
–James Nisbet
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I am through with him, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I am to tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. There is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael, your prince..
a further thought on prayer–
I once thought it was the great preachers or those people who could give substantial sums of money who were the most effective Christians. I am convinced now that the most sacred and creative thing, the greatest work any person can ever do, is to thank God, to praise him, and to pray. The person sitting in a wheelchair in grateful praise and adoration may be of more value to God than anyone else in his kingdom. God does not play favorites, nor does he throw people away. No one need be useless. All of us can be thankful and pray. There is power in thankfulness and prayer.
–Dennis F. Kinlaw
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Music:
Prayer. HERE is Brian Johnson from his album “Undone” and “We Cry Out.”
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DWELLING in the Word 
