Daniel 10:11, 12 NKJV (see below for additional verses in chapter 10) Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come because of your words. “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. He was asleep with his face on the ground when a hand touched him and raised him to his hands and knees. Daniel had a vision which sapped his strength. Then in Chapter 10 Gabriel comes again to Daniel. Then he specifically says, “I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved.” (Daniel 9:23) Gabriel goes on to tell Daniel various prophecies. It was right at that moment of repentance and turning to God for help when the angel Gabriel comes to Daniel and informs him that he has come to give Daniel understanding. They had not been faithful and Daniel was repenting of this. The children of Israel had disobeyed God. And he was asking for God’s forgiveness and mercy. He was confessing his own sins as well as the sins of the whole nation of Israel. The Israelites were in captivity in Babylon. (See below for the verses that were helpful to me.) I encourage you to read the both chapters to see everything in context. This is in chapter 9 and chapter 10 of Daniel. One day I came across a Bible passage in the book of Daniel that basically opened up a window to heaven and I felt God’s love and care for me like I never had before. I was praying earnestly during this time, but wondering if it was going to make any difference. I didn’t feel like anyone really cared for me, which of course was not true, but I felt that way. And I didn’t feel successful in life at all. I just didn’t feel I was making any spiritual progress. One time in particular, many years ago, I was pretty down on myself. And I know that’s possible for you as well. But those times have forced me to do some serious self-reflection and self-examination, which have been very helpful in the long run.Īnd sooner or later, every time I have found myself in one of these low spots in my life, God has broken through the darkness and touched my heart with love and encouragement. Over the years, I will be honest, there have been times when I felt this way, and it’s not the greatest attitude to have, let me tell you. The book of Psalms is full of that familiar plea to God (see below for more examples):ġ O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen All day and all night they will never keep silent You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves And give Him no rest until He establishes And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.Sometimes it’s tempting to ask God how long until we get answers to these questions, how long until healing comes, until we get a victory over the struggles in life. For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you. It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate" But you will be called, "My delight is in her," And your land, "Married" For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
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