13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”

15 While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless.

16 And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength.

17 How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”

— Daniel 10:13-17

7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

8 But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels.

9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

— Revelation 12:7-9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Daniel 10:13-14 records an invisible fierce spiritual battle was raging on behind the scene that involved a demonic enemy, the “prince of the Persian kingdom” who was given some regional jurisdiction. His opposition delayed God’s messenger in reaching Daniel. Yet Michael, an archangel as “one of the chief princes,” assisted God’s angelic messenger. This is the first time Michael – whose name means “Who is like God?” – appears in the Bible. Michael seems especially equipped to combat the devil. This angelic battle foreshadows the cosmic battle involving Michael in Revelation.

God’s message to His people about their future would be explained to Daniel who humbled before the Lord. He realized that what is unseen to the mortal eye can be frightening. Though Daniel had experienced decades of exile and received multiple disturbing prophecies about Israel’s future and he could grasp the magnitude of the spiritual warfare waged against God and His people, yet this experience here still left Daniel speechless, anguished, and weak. All the fierce spiritual battles took place in heaven and on earth actually showcase not any power can thwart God’s plan.