Text: Daniel 10: 1-21
This is Spiritual warfare (vv.1, 13) . Daniel is in serious prayer and fasting for three weeks and this is likely during the Passover season. He is very upset about the events during this time; but with this being the third year of Cyrus’ reign, he should be extremely happy. Why? Because at this very time Ezra and Nehemiah are in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem. But Daniel is right to be sad because the rebuilding of Jerusalem has come up against serious resistance. The great and final hope of the end of the Exile has arrived; but it seems doomed to fail, the whole victory seems to be threatened! He is begging God as to the reasons why. This was to be the great rejoicing and return of the Jews to their true home; but why was it so hard?
We have the answer from the Angel: serious spiritual warfare. Daniel has the extreme rare privilege of being allowed to observe the spiritual realms as they truly are. It’s as if a special curtain has been pulled back and he sees spiritual reality as it is. As Daniel is receiving this special look, the other companions in the room sense an extreme powerful presence, and they run and hide! But Daniel cannot even move because of the awesome view that is explained before him. The Angels Gabriel and Michael are sent to defend and aid God’s people in Persia; for they are under serious attack by the demonic forces sent to destroy and stop the Jews from moving forward to their spiritual home. This is an arena that few understand and that scares most of us to death. If you and I had but a small idea of the spiritual battles surrounding us, I am convinced we would be as afraid as Daniel and his friends were. Why are we told this? Because our heavenly Father wants us to know that He and the Angels are fighting for us! Christ has won the victory already, and as His Kingdom grows in the world the demons are fighting and resisting every millimeter of progress! Jesus told His disciples, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Mark 14:38, ESV). Let us fast and pray and humbly ask our Father for strength to stand firm as He fights for us!
Meditate on verse 1. What is God teaching you in this verse? How are you
going to respond to it?
Almighty Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, give me a discerning heart so that I may over come all the tricks of the enemy in spiritual warfare. Amen.