Divine Assistance
When I was a young police officer in the 13th district, my partner and I were on patrol in the Humboldt Park area. While monitoring the police radio, we heard a call for assistance from a fellow officer who was struck on the face by an adult male offender who she had just stopped for a traffic violation. We learned later that he was driving a stolen vehicle. While responding to the call, we spotted the offender fleeing on foot down a residential street. I jumped out of the squad car and pursued him.
After jumping a fence and running through a dark gangway, I was able to tackle the offender in the backyard of a residence. While he resisted arrest, I tried to call for assistance and realized I had lost my radio during the foot pursuit. But instinctively, my partner, knowing the direction I was running, had already informed the dispatcher. Within a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, I could hear the assisting officers approaching as I struggled with the offender. I yelled out, “I’m in the backyard!” Hearing my call for help, they came to my aide, helped to subdue the offender, and take him into custody.
As a police officer in the performance of my duties, I had certain powers delegated to me by a higher authority that gave me access to fulfill my duties to serve and protect the city of Chicago. Similarly, we are going to see that Daniel, who was on mission for God, had a spiritual authority that made him an enemy of the forces of darkness, but more importantly, gave him access to the divine realm. In response to Daniel’s prayers, this divine realm assisted Daniel in overcoming the invisible forces of evil, serving his people, and lighting up the darkness in Babylon.
We can receive answers from the divine realm to know the plans of God. In Daniel chapter ten, verse one, we read: “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.” Before we unpack this revelation that was given to Daniel, it’s important to note that he received it in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, which brings us to 536 BC. This date was around the time that Cyrus issued the decree that allowed some of the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild, which was an answer to Daniel’s intercession.
Daniel was a light in the darkness because God’s word was a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path. Daniel didn’t live by the modern proverb that says, "just follow your heart. Your heart and your feelings will lead you astray. As someone has rightly exclaimed, “Feeling are great followers, but terrible leaders.” Daniel didn’t get swallowed up by the darkness because he walked by faith, not by sight. He sought answers from God’s word and he clung to His promises. When he didn’t understand what was going on or how to respond to visions from God, he turned to Him in prayer with great reverence and humility. In the same way, if we are going to overcome the darkness and shine the light that can turn others to righteousness, we must walk in the light. Walking in the light doesn’t mean that we will have all the answers, but that we are obeying what God has clearly revealed in His word.
The prophecies Daniel read in the book of Jeremiah about the 70 years of exile prompted his prayers to God for the restoration of Jerusalem. With this in mind, beginning in verse two, we read: “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.” In regards to the vision of great conflict, what was Daniel mourning about? As Danny Akin, a commentator, explained, “Unfortunately, the number who returned was small, and opposition arose almost immediately to the rebuilding programs. Daniel was not there, having remained in Babylon (perhaps because of old age or to assist through support, encouragement and prayers); nevertheless he had received reports from the homeland. His heart was heavy, so he went into morning for three weeks (v.2). He also chose not to anoint himself with body oils that would soothe and refresh his skin in dry climate. Whether he did this publicly or privately we do not know. What we do know is that God heard his prayers and saw his humiliation.”
Daniel didn’t come to understand all things, but what he did clearly understand is that the prayer of God’s people really matter in the unfolding and outworking of His redemptive plans. The vision and amazing prophecies he received encouraged Daniel’s faith in the sovereignty of God and moved him to intercede with greater faith and conviction. Likewise, when we know God and see our neediness in light of His worthiness, our hearts will be burdened with what burdens God’s heart.
We can receive anguish from the divine realm to know the passion of God. After fasting and praying for 3 weeks because of the vision of great conflict, we read from verse 4 to 10: “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.”
While Daniel, who had been fasting and praying for 3 weeks, was standing on the Tigris river, He saw a vision of a glorious divine being. There’s some debate about the identity of this being; some suggest that it was an angel reflecting the glory of God. Others believe that the dazzling and glorious vision Daniel encountered was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus because the description of legs like bronze, a face like lightning, and eyes like flaming torches, (v.5-6) resembles the description given of Jesus in Revelation. I lean towards Daniel’s vision being a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. Whatever the case, what we do know for sure is that the glimpse that Daniel was given into the invisible realm and the encounter with the glory of God, drained him of all his strength. And while Daniel is trembling on his knees, the angel assured him that he was greatly loved and that he was to get up because the angel was sent to him not to condemn him, but for Daniel to receive greater understanding.
Its important to note that the angel makes it clear that he was sent to Daniel in response to his humble and biblically informed prayers: “Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12). After going mute due to the insight he received of the conflict transpiring in the invisible realm, (v. 13-15), which Daniel’s prayers provoked, we read in verse 16: “And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.”
It’s important to also note that this insight continually overwhelmed Daniel. Repeatedly, the angel, who some suggest was Gabriel, had to strengthen Daniel so that he could have the capacity to receive what was being revealed to him.Furthermore, the vision didn’t just physically drain Daniel, he was in pain and in anguish over it. Before he received the strength that he needed to handle the revelations that he would later be given, he not only came to the end of himself, but his heart was broken for the things that break God’s heart.
Like Daniel, we must set our hearts to seek the Lord. And as God reveals Himself to us in the word and in answer to prayer, we will see our neediness in view of his worthiness. Our hearts will break for what breaks His. And as we pray about those things that break God’s heart, God will give us even greater insight into what He’s up to in very specific ways so that we might join Him in His work. Sadly, many Christians today are being discipled more by news and social media than they are by Jesus Christ. Consequently they’re more passionate about politics and the cares of this life than they are about advancing the cause of Christ in this world. And because we are so consumed with the passions of this world, often when we do pray, we seek first worldly comfort more so than a worthy cause. But as Hellen Keller said, “True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
We can receive assistance from the divine realm to know the power of God. After the angel reassured Daniel, beginning in verse 13 we read: “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.” Notice that the angel reveals that he was delayed by resistance from the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The prince of Persia here is a reference to a demon that was influencing the rulers of the kingdom of Persia. Interestingly, this demon delayed the angel for 21 days, which was about the same amount of time that Daniel was fasting and praying (v.1). It's been said, God’s delays are not always His denials. Persevere in prayer. More is happening than you even realize.
As Daniel was praying the angel was joined by Michael, one of the chief princes, who came to help him. Daniel Henderson often says, “When a church gets serious about prayer, we pick a fight with the devil at a whole new level.” When we get serious about prayer and our prayer are in tune with the purposes of God, they can provoke a fight between angels and demons. Regarding spiritual warfare in the unseen realm, John Piper summarizes it well: “I would conclude that there are high-ranking demonic powers over various regimes and dominions and governments and realms of the world: and that they work to create as much evil and corruption and spiritual darkness as they can. They strive to interrupt Christian missions and ministry as much as they can.”
After being strengthened once again in the love of God, the angel continued with his revelation to Daniel: “Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince” (Daniel 10:20-21). Together with the assistance of Michael and the persistent prayers of Daniel, the angel reaches Daniel to fulfill his assignment of giving insight and understanding of what is to come for the people of God. Before he departs for his next divine assignment, he informs Daniel that he is going to give him further understanding about what is written in the book of truth.
Amazingly, before departing, the angel also gave Daniel insight into his next assignment. As one commentator explained: “The Angel asks Daniel a rhetorical question: “Do you know why I’ve come to you?” The answer had already been given, at least in part, in verses 12 and 14. Parenthetically, the Angel informs Daniel that he has to return to fight against the prince of Persia. The Persian Empire lasted from 539 to 331 BC. After he battles the Persian demons, he will then engage the spiritual forces of Greece. That empire would exist, in some form from 331 to 63 BC. As with Persia, evil powers would be working for Greece in the unseen [realm], engaging the good forces (angels) of God in a battle for the kingdoms of this world and for the souls of men.” (Danny Akin)
The revelation from the angel strengthened Daniel to continue to be a light in the darkness. And amazingly, the prayers of Daniel assisted the angels in the fulfillment of their assignments. Our greatest battles will be won on our knees. The ultimate victory however is not determined by our prayers, but by the victory Jesus won on the cross. And because of the victory of Christ, all believers get to participate in the unfolding and outworking of God’s redemptive plans in the world. We don’t fight for victory; we fight from victory.
Samuel Chadwick’s words ring true: “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.”
May the revelations of the book of truth strengthen us daily to be light bearers who receive divine answers to know God’s plans, divine anguish to know God’s passion, and divine assistance to know God’s power to accomplish His kingdom purposes for the greater fame of Jesus.
After jumping a fence and running through a dark gangway, I was able to tackle the offender in the backyard of a residence. While he resisted arrest, I tried to call for assistance and realized I had lost my radio during the foot pursuit. But instinctively, my partner, knowing the direction I was running, had already informed the dispatcher. Within a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, I could hear the assisting officers approaching as I struggled with the offender. I yelled out, “I’m in the backyard!” Hearing my call for help, they came to my aide, helped to subdue the offender, and take him into custody.
As a police officer in the performance of my duties, I had certain powers delegated to me by a higher authority that gave me access to fulfill my duties to serve and protect the city of Chicago. Similarly, we are going to see that Daniel, who was on mission for God, had a spiritual authority that made him an enemy of the forces of darkness, but more importantly, gave him access to the divine realm. In response to Daniel’s prayers, this divine realm assisted Daniel in overcoming the invisible forces of evil, serving his people, and lighting up the darkness in Babylon.
We can receive answers from the divine realm to know the plans of God. In Daniel chapter ten, verse one, we read: “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.” Before we unpack this revelation that was given to Daniel, it’s important to note that he received it in the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, which brings us to 536 BC. This date was around the time that Cyrus issued the decree that allowed some of the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild, which was an answer to Daniel’s intercession.
Daniel was a light in the darkness because God’s word was a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path. Daniel didn’t live by the modern proverb that says, "just follow your heart. Your heart and your feelings will lead you astray. As someone has rightly exclaimed, “Feeling are great followers, but terrible leaders.” Daniel didn’t get swallowed up by the darkness because he walked by faith, not by sight. He sought answers from God’s word and he clung to His promises. When he didn’t understand what was going on or how to respond to visions from God, he turned to Him in prayer with great reverence and humility. In the same way, if we are going to overcome the darkness and shine the light that can turn others to righteousness, we must walk in the light. Walking in the light doesn’t mean that we will have all the answers, but that we are obeying what God has clearly revealed in His word.
The prophecies Daniel read in the book of Jeremiah about the 70 years of exile prompted his prayers to God for the restoration of Jerusalem. With this in mind, beginning in verse two, we read: “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.” In regards to the vision of great conflict, what was Daniel mourning about? As Danny Akin, a commentator, explained, “Unfortunately, the number who returned was small, and opposition arose almost immediately to the rebuilding programs. Daniel was not there, having remained in Babylon (perhaps because of old age or to assist through support, encouragement and prayers); nevertheless he had received reports from the homeland. His heart was heavy, so he went into morning for three weeks (v.2). He also chose not to anoint himself with body oils that would soothe and refresh his skin in dry climate. Whether he did this publicly or privately we do not know. What we do know is that God heard his prayers and saw his humiliation.”
Daniel didn’t come to understand all things, but what he did clearly understand is that the prayer of God’s people really matter in the unfolding and outworking of His redemptive plans. The vision and amazing prophecies he received encouraged Daniel’s faith in the sovereignty of God and moved him to intercede with greater faith and conviction. Likewise, when we know God and see our neediness in light of His worthiness, our hearts will be burdened with what burdens God’s heart.
We can receive anguish from the divine realm to know the passion of God. After fasting and praying for 3 weeks because of the vision of great conflict, we read from verse 4 to 10: “On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.”
While Daniel, who had been fasting and praying for 3 weeks, was standing on the Tigris river, He saw a vision of a glorious divine being. There’s some debate about the identity of this being; some suggest that it was an angel reflecting the glory of God. Others believe that the dazzling and glorious vision Daniel encountered was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus because the description of legs like bronze, a face like lightning, and eyes like flaming torches, (v.5-6) resembles the description given of Jesus in Revelation. I lean towards Daniel’s vision being a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. Whatever the case, what we do know for sure is that the glimpse that Daniel was given into the invisible realm and the encounter with the glory of God, drained him of all his strength. And while Daniel is trembling on his knees, the angel assured him that he was greatly loved and that he was to get up because the angel was sent to him not to condemn him, but for Daniel to receive greater understanding.
Its important to note that the angel makes it clear that he was sent to Daniel in response to his humble and biblically informed prayers: “Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12). After going mute due to the insight he received of the conflict transpiring in the invisible realm, (v. 13-15), which Daniel’s prayers provoked, we read in verse 16: “And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.”
It’s important to also note that this insight continually overwhelmed Daniel. Repeatedly, the angel, who some suggest was Gabriel, had to strengthen Daniel so that he could have the capacity to receive what was being revealed to him.Furthermore, the vision didn’t just physically drain Daniel, he was in pain and in anguish over it. Before he received the strength that he needed to handle the revelations that he would later be given, he not only came to the end of himself, but his heart was broken for the things that break God’s heart.
Like Daniel, we must set our hearts to seek the Lord. And as God reveals Himself to us in the word and in answer to prayer, we will see our neediness in view of his worthiness. Our hearts will break for what breaks His. And as we pray about those things that break God’s heart, God will give us even greater insight into what He’s up to in very specific ways so that we might join Him in His work. Sadly, many Christians today are being discipled more by news and social media than they are by Jesus Christ. Consequently they’re more passionate about politics and the cares of this life than they are about advancing the cause of Christ in this world. And because we are so consumed with the passions of this world, often when we do pray, we seek first worldly comfort more so than a worthy cause. But as Hellen Keller said, “True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
We can receive assistance from the divine realm to know the power of God. After the angel reassured Daniel, beginning in verse 13 we read: “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.” Notice that the angel reveals that he was delayed by resistance from the prince of the kingdom of Persia. The prince of Persia here is a reference to a demon that was influencing the rulers of the kingdom of Persia. Interestingly, this demon delayed the angel for 21 days, which was about the same amount of time that Daniel was fasting and praying (v.1). It's been said, God’s delays are not always His denials. Persevere in prayer. More is happening than you even realize.
As Daniel was praying the angel was joined by Michael, one of the chief princes, who came to help him. Daniel Henderson often says, “When a church gets serious about prayer, we pick a fight with the devil at a whole new level.” When we get serious about prayer and our prayer are in tune with the purposes of God, they can provoke a fight between angels and demons. Regarding spiritual warfare in the unseen realm, John Piper summarizes it well: “I would conclude that there are high-ranking demonic powers over various regimes and dominions and governments and realms of the world: and that they work to create as much evil and corruption and spiritual darkness as they can. They strive to interrupt Christian missions and ministry as much as they can.”
After being strengthened once again in the love of God, the angel continued with his revelation to Daniel: “Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince” (Daniel 10:20-21). Together with the assistance of Michael and the persistent prayers of Daniel, the angel reaches Daniel to fulfill his assignment of giving insight and understanding of what is to come for the people of God. Before he departs for his next divine assignment, he informs Daniel that he is going to give him further understanding about what is written in the book of truth.
Amazingly, before departing, the angel also gave Daniel insight into his next assignment. As one commentator explained: “The Angel asks Daniel a rhetorical question: “Do you know why I’ve come to you?” The answer had already been given, at least in part, in verses 12 and 14. Parenthetically, the Angel informs Daniel that he has to return to fight against the prince of Persia. The Persian Empire lasted from 539 to 331 BC. After he battles the Persian demons, he will then engage the spiritual forces of Greece. That empire would exist, in some form from 331 to 63 BC. As with Persia, evil powers would be working for Greece in the unseen [realm], engaging the good forces (angels) of God in a battle for the kingdoms of this world and for the souls of men.” (Danny Akin)
The revelation from the angel strengthened Daniel to continue to be a light in the darkness. And amazingly, the prayers of Daniel assisted the angels in the fulfillment of their assignments. Our greatest battles will be won on our knees. The ultimate victory however is not determined by our prayers, but by the victory Jesus won on the cross. And because of the victory of Christ, all believers get to participate in the unfolding and outworking of God’s redemptive plans in the world. We don’t fight for victory; we fight from victory.
Samuel Chadwick’s words ring true: “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.”
May the revelations of the book of truth strengthen us daily to be light bearers who receive divine answers to know God’s plans, divine anguish to know God’s passion, and divine assistance to know God’s power to accomplish His kingdom purposes for the greater fame of Jesus.