Daniel 10-12; Psalm 136
I love chapter 10 of Daniel and the glimpse we get into the
spiritual world. I could see how
some people might struggle a bit with this chapter because it is strange. Let’s face it, there are some strange
things in the Bible … but they are fascinating.
When you say the word angel most people probably picture in their
mind something very different than what is pictured here in chapter 10. In fact when you Google images for the
word ‘angel’ almost every picture that comes up is either a beautiful woman or
child with a soft flowing dress, kind and gentle eyes, and of course the wings
and the halo. But this figure we
see in the Bible, and not just here in Daniel but several places throughout the
Bible, this angel is a warrior.
Face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like
bronze, a voice like the sound of a multitude … powerful and compassionate, a
messenger, a protector, and a soldier on God’s side. This is the kind of angel I want!
We also see that there are figures at work that are not on God’s
side but work for Satan, and God’s angels have to deal with them (Verses 13 and 20).
We also see that God sends His angels in response to our prayers.
“Daniel, you who are highly esteemed … I
have now been sent to you.” (10:11)
“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.” (10:12)
The other thing that struck me in this chapter is that two
different times the angel calls Daniel ‘highly esteemed’. Daniel was not perfect, but he was a
man of faith who was humble and who prayed and sought the Lord, and he was
highly esteemed in God’s eyes.
I am, as almost always after reading, left in awe of who God is
and how He does things. I’m thankful
for the glimpse into what goes on all the time that we do not see, and I’m
reminded once again to get on my knees like Daniel and seek the Lord.
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