5 I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.

6 His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.

8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.

9 I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly esteemed m. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.

12 “Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

— Daniel 10:5-12

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God called Daniel to speak as His prophetic voice to His people in Babylon. Throughout his life, Daniel proved himself faithful. Even years of proven spiritual maturity did not make Daniel immune to trembling before our great and mighty God. The Lord provides strength, assurance, and comfort as He embedded hard truths with faithful Daniel. God sent an angel to raise trembling Daniel from his prostrate position. The angel also lifted Daniel’s spirit. The angel affirmed Daniel, God’s faithful, exiled servant, as “highly esteemed.” God wanted Daniel to see a vision, to understand a truth, and to share a message.

Throughout Scripture, God consistently encourages His servants not to be afraid. Here, the angel commended Daniel’s lifelong pursuit of understanding, humility, and faithfulness in prayer. The angel had come to Daniel in response to his devoted prayers. This response proves that God’s purposes incorporate the prayers of His people. The angel revealed to Daniel an invisible, active spiritual battle rages behind the scenes on this warring earth. But what is certain is God’s will cannot be deterred. No spiritual or physical power can thwart God’s Word or plan.