I ran across some notes I had written in my handy-dandy writer’s notebook quite a while back. It was something I called a “Daniel moment.” I tagged it with the scripture in Daniel where he had prayed and fasted for three weeks. I had one of those Daniel moments.
Back when mom was sick and required full time care, a friend asked me if I would work a long weekend at the camp at a women’s spiritual retreat. When she asked, she said she was already praying for God to make a way. I did not see any way at all that it could happen. My mom did not want me out of her sight, so I felt guilty any time I would leave her.
I felt like God wanted me to be there at the camp that weekend though. So I started praying about it. Then I asked a few friends to pray with me. Turns out that my brother was already off that whole weekend of the women’s retreat. Thursday through Sunday. He said he would stay with mom. Between him and my other brother and my niece to help take care of her personal needs, it was covered.
I feel like that was such a Daniel moment. My friend had been praying before she asked me. I started praying and I asked others to pray. We prayed and waited and God answered.
In Daniel 10, Daniel had been fasting and mourning for three weeks. He then saw a vision, a man clothed in linen, girded with fine gold. Those around Daniel had not seen the vision but they were afraid and they fled. Daniel did not run away. He fell on his face to the ground, unable to move or speak.
All at once there was a hand touching Daniel. It was the man. He set him up on his hands and knees and he was able to speak.
This man told Daniel that he was greatly loved by God and that he wanted him to listen to the words that he would be telling him. He directed him to stand upright because he had been sent to him. At that point Daniel stood, but he stood trembling.
Then he told Daniel to not be afraid, for at the very beginning, when he began fasting and praying for understanding and disciplining himself before God, that he had been heard. He told him he had come because of his prayers.
As a Christ follower, what would the challenge be for us from this passage? I think the challenge could be to stand firm in our prayer life and not give up and to seek God believing, with a right spirit.
How can we apply this to our lives? We could try to develop the kind of prayer life that Daniel had. Be consistent. Also, we should humble ourselves before God.
My faith is strengthened when I see in God’s Word that He hears me the very moment I begin to pray, and He will answer me. It may not be the answer I expect or within the timeframe that I desire, but He will always answer. Sometimes even His silence is the answer.
Lord, I am so thankful that You are there for me. Guide my life so that I do things that honor You. Help me to humble myself before You when I come to Your throne.
~~~~~~~
“10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” Daniel 10:10-14 (KJV)
_____________
I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
————————
Blog Image by Himsan from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 