Text: Daniel 10:1-21

Dear Young People,

A SPECIAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Daniel trembled even as the teaching-angel spoke to him. What gracious words this angel had spoken to him. Was he truly "a man greatly beloved"? How precious were those words.

Yet the fact was that he stood before a mighty angel! How could he stop himself from quaking in his presence? Kindly the teaching-angel who had been sent to give him understanding spoke in a most encouraging way.

"O Daniel, man greatly beloved,
understand the words that I speak to you…

Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day
That you set your heart to understand,
And to humble yourself before your God,
Your words were heard."
Daniel 10:11-12

The teaching-angel had addressed Daniel by his first name. He knew him personally. He spoke as one who knew Daniel intimately. What words of assurance were given to Daniel even as he spoke about why he had come to his side. He had come to help Daniel understand the vision that God had given him.

Daniel's response was one of great humility. He did not allow familiarity or pride to come into his heart, lest they affected him.

FURTHER GLIMPSES OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM
What a glimpse of the spiritual realm we have in this text. We read of an angel who came to teach Daniel. We also read of other spiritual powers. And we also read of one mighty angel called Michael. Let's take time to digest this word.

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me
twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes,
came to help me, for I had been left alone there with
the kings of Persia."
Daniel 10:13

There are numerous angels in the spiritual realm. There are mighty spiritual battles being waged of which we know nothing.

The New Testament confirms that Daniel was right in his writing about spiritual forces being engaged in battle. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrote about spiritual powers that we must resist (Cf. Ephesians 6). Let us seek to deepen our faith and trust in God lest we become afraid of the powers of darkness.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 21st July 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore