Daniel 10:12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
I find this verse incredibly profound. God heard Daniel’s prayer. Why? How? Because Daniel set his mind to gain understanding and Daniel humbled himself before the Lord. And since the first day he started—not the day he finally got it right but from the first attempt—God heard his words, his prayers. Thank You, Jesus.
Daniel 10:18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.
I am at once both humbled and unsettled. I have been studying God’s word earnestly for years, trying to gain understanding, trying to humble myself. And I’ve been praying most all my life. According to this verse, my prayers reached God from the moment I set my mind to studying Him. Sadly, not all my words have been worth hearing. There is a lot of grumbling mixed in, like this morning when my alarm went off and I didn’t want to get up. Help me, Jesus.
Daniel 10:19a “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”
Lord, Thank You for recognizing that I have set my heart to study You, that I strive to humble myself before You. Thank You for hearing my words and my prayers. Help me not to grumble, Lord. Help me not to squander a single precious moment You have given me. Help me to strengthen my prayer life as I lift up Your people. Amen.
Daniel 10:19b When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”
Have a blessed day.