The prophet Daniel saw many mighty works of God on the behalf of himself, his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, works performed before the greatest of kings of his era. He received revelation from God in visions and was given ability to interpret dreams for the seeming all-powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar. And yet even such a man as Daniel knew what it was to be utterly spent and in need of encouragement. He needed to be renewed in the love and peace of God.
A Full Life
As Daniel chapter 10 opens, it is the third year of the reign of Cyrus the Great, King of the Medo-Persian Empire, whose armies had toppled and absorbed the Babylonian Empire. Daniel had been a Jewish captive now for decades, though God has greatly exalted him to positions of authority and influence in both empires. Throughout all this time Daniel has seen God’s hand at work powerfully and clearly. He is now a very old man, and the world has radically changed, is still changing.
Prayers Answered
Daniel knew the time was close for the Jewish captives to be allowed to return to Jerusalem, just as God had said. He had spent the last three weeks now in fasting and prayer, seeking God’s face for revelation about the future of Israel and the last days. In answer to his prayers, it appears that the pre-incarnate Christ (Christophany) and a mighty angel visited him. The angel then gave him a vision of the future sent from God.
Before giving Daniel the vision, the angel tells Daniel about the great battle taking place in the spiritual realm between God’s angels and the fallen. The battle was so intense that God sent his famed archangel Michael to join the battle to ensure that the vision reached Daniel.
All of this is fascinating and rich with devotional truth, but these are not the points I would like to raise here. What happens next is what we will consider.
Exhausted and in Pain
Daniel is exhausted from prayer and fasting, overwhelmed by seeing the pre-incarnate Christ in His glory (compare with Rev 1:12-18), seeing the angel, and hearing of the great battle in the spiritual realm. Before the angel gives him the vision of things to come, Daniel confesses to him that he is exhausted, in great pain, and doesn’t have the capacity to receive the vision.
Ministry had already taken all of the prophet’s strength. He knew that to receive the vision would cost him strength he did not possess. How does the mighty angel respond? What is Daniel’s need?
The angel, who had appeared to him as a man, touched him and strengthened him. Though unnamed, it seems that Gabriel is the one that had come.
Then God’s messenger said to Daniel, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” As the angel said these things, Daniel said he was strengthened (v.18-19).
What were the things that the angel said that strengthened Daniel?
“O man greatly loved”
When the angel first came, he addressed Daniel this way (v.11). The first thing he said to him was that God not only loved him, but greatly loved him. God knew that what Daniel needed most was to remember God’s covenant love, God’s faithful/steadfast love for him. Gabriel addressed him this way once before (9:23).
There are times when what we need most is to remember God’s love for us. But is every Christian “one greatly loved” by God, or is this unique to great prophets like Daniel? Everywhere in Scripture God’s people are regarded by Him as the objects of His love. His steadfast love and His great suffering to redeem them in Christ are major themes. So, yes, all believers in Jesus Christ know God’s love.
And yet, there is also a sense in which those who faithfully seek the Lord and obey Him have a greater knowledge and experience of His love. In John 15:10-11, Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide (remain) in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide (remain) in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” The way to this greater experience of love and joy may require repentance and a return to walking in obedience.
“fear not, peace be with you”
God reminded him that he did not need to fear. The Lord was with him, just as He always had been. God was in control now, even as He has proved to Daniel time and time again. Daniel could trust Him, rest in His care, and know His peace. God would give him the strength that he needed.
Fear distracts us from reality. We must remind ourselves of the reality of God’s love and presence. This is what we need to erase fear ad doubt. As we remind ourselves and embrace truth by faith, fear melts and we know His peace once more.
“be strong and of good courage”
It is these truths—God’s love and His presence and control over circumstances–that brought strength to Daniel’s soul, even affected his body, and gave him courage to go on. He was not ready to receive this vision, one that would somehow take its toll on him. He said to the angel, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Are we lacking in strength, exhausted, burdened with cares, even with good reason? If so, we need to re-immerse ourselves in who God is, which includes His perfect love.
The honored Daniel was a man like we are, limited, weak, and need of God’s strength. Even a man of great faith and commitment to God at times needs to be strengthened. How much more do we?
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
