On Thursday, we began unpacking Daniel 10, looking for clues on the best way to seek God’s guidance. We saw that Daniel first humbled himself. As wise as he was, he know that only God could provide the guidance he sought, and he set about humbling himself in preparation for God’s direction. We then saw that Daniel was persistent. He humbled himself for three weeks! And through this experience, we came to understand why God doesn’t always respond immediately: There may be a spiritual battle being fought that we are completely unaware of! When we humble ourselves before God, we can believe that He will respond, no matter how long it takes. And in the interim, perhaps praying against the spiritual forces in dark places isn’t a bad idea! The third step is surrender: Daniel didn’t hear a message he wanted to hear. Rather, he heard one that made him so afraid that he fell face-down to the ground. Meanwhile, his companions all ran away. When we seek God’s guidance, our job is to surrender to His will, even when what we hear leaves us afraid! Otherwise, just like the others who had been present when this happened, we will not hear God’s voice!
There is one last step to seeking God’s guidance, and this will be the subject of today’s devotional. When we truly wish to hear God’s voice, we need to: Allow Him to empower us to receive it!
Let’s remember here that although he didn’t run away as his companions did, Daniel was terrified by what he saw: “My strength left me, and my complexion grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to the ground.” (Daniel 10:8 NRSV).
The good news is that God understands our weaknesses, and He sends us what we need. First God allowed Daniel to fall into a trance, which some versions translate as sleep: “Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a trance, face to the ground.” (Vs. 9 NRSV). This separated Daniel from the vision enough to allow him to think a bit more logically.
Daniel still wasn’t in a state where he could hear God’s voice, however; but God understands our weaknesses. He knows that we are dust (See Psalms 103:14), and He gives us what we need. First we see God rousing Daniel from his sleep, setting him on his hands and knees: “But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees.” (Daniel 10:10 NRSV), then we see the angel telling Daniel to stand up. Daniel complies, but he is still shaking in fear: “So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling.” (Daniel 10:11b NRSV). We then see God trying to console Daniel through the angel: “He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel…” (Daniel 10:12a NRSV), and then he proceeds to tell Daniel he is greatly loved and that God reached out to him the moment he began seeking His guidance!
I’m sure that was all very reassuring to Daniel, but Daniel still couldn’t process it all: “While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.” (Daniel 10:15 NRSV). Daniel turned away! It was simply too much for him! A perfectly human response, and again, God met him where he was at: “Then one in human form touched my lips…” (Daniel 10: 16a NRSV). This simple, gentle gesture helped Daniel have the courage to speak: “…and I opened my mouth to speak…” (Daniel 10:16b NRSV).
God knows we need to process our fears, He knows we need the opportunity to express them, and not only did He give Daniel that opportunity, but He gave him the help he needed to do it!
But Daniel’s humanity continued to be in his way: “My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking,no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” (Daniel 10:16c-17 NRSV).
Just speaking forth our fear is often the first step to healing. When we confess our weakness to God, we open the door for Him to guide and heal, and that’s what happened to Daniel: “Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. He said, ‘Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!’ When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’” (Daniel 10:18-19 NRSV)
What follows is the explicit explanation of the vision Daniel saw, as recorded in Chapters 11 & 12 of the book of Daniel. The subject matter there is a totally different devotional but the point today is this: When we truly wish to seek God’s voice, we must do our part!
Need God’s guidance?
1. Humble yourself before Him;
2. Believe that He will respond, try some spiritual warfare, and wait patiently until He does;
3. Be prepared to hear what you might not want to hear, even if it leaves you afraid; and
4. Allow God to empower you to receive His guidance!
God bless you as you seek His voice!
In His love,
Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
