Daniel: Highly Favored and Comforted

Daniel has always been a prayerwarrior and God had always been faithful in answering prayers to Daniel. God is always faithful even when we don’t see the results of prayer in the way or timing we want.

(Slide) A little more history, the Cyrus decree was issued in 539 BC and it is now 536 and the first return of exiles and the rebuilding of foundation of the temple, the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophesy has now happened. - - - Daniel is now about 85 years old and still has questions, concerns about the visions and the end times and that brings us to this last section of Daniel chapters 10-12. Tonight a comforter is sent to Daniel.

I. A Prayerwarrior’s Heart

(Slide) In (v.1) we know the date of this by identifying who is king and what year of kingship - Cyrus (539 assumes throne, makes decree to free the Jew’s; now it is 536).

(Slide) It is a true message, a message of conflict

He understood the message, and had understanding of vision

In (v.1) it is in 3rd person, seems it is from official document for then in (v.2) it switches to Daniel speaking in 1st person. Also notice that Daniel had understanding, but then isn’t Daniel seeking understanding too? (Application for us) - we may know something, but don’t need to know everything to step out in faith.

(Slide) Daniels position (vv. 2-3)

(Slide) A time of mourning ----We previously left Daniel in chapter 9 with the vision, revelation about the 70 weeks, of the horrible, terrible times his people were going to go through, so sure a time of mourning

(Slide) A time of persistent in prayer - Daniel wanted to know more, understand more about the visions and end times. So back to prayer he goes.

(Slide) A time of Sacrifice in fasting - this is a partial fast of the delicacies, meat, pastries, wine. There are many kinds of fasts

II. A Prayerwarrior’s Vision

A pre-incarnate Christ? (vv.4-6) - this would be similar to descriptions found in Eze1 and in Rev1.

Other ways Christ has appeared to Abraham he was a traveller (Gen18) to Jacob he was a wrestler (Gen32) to Joshua he was Captain of the Lords army (Jos5:13-16), to Isaiah the King on the throne (Isa6; Jn12:37-41) now to Daniel, and also to John he appears as the glorified King-Priest.

A personal vision that effected those with him (vv.4-8) -no one else saw the vision, but still they had great dread and fled. (something to ponder) - have you ever felt abandon in the trying times, it could be that God is isolating you so you will trust, rely and turn to Him and Him alone.

A vision that left him without strength, caused great sleep

A vision that left him without strength, caused great sleep (v.9) after hearing the voice of the man (Lord) he fell on his face and went into the great sleep - what was going to be revealed to him, he needed to be out of the way himself and his thinking so the great sleep came on him.

Just another point on this, this is at the end of Daniels faithful ministry. This great vision was after a long and faithful life. Daniel was highly favored but I will discuss that more in a few minutes. Point is Daniel was a man resolved to be faithful may we learn from his resolve.

III. A Prayerwarrior’s Comfort

(Slide) The messenger of comfort (vv.10-14) We do not know exactly who it is, except it is an angel (angels are ministering spirits) We do know this:

(Slide) He touched Daniel and helped Daniel (v.10) -Angels have always be a part of God’s tools, from guarding the garden (Gen3) to even now according to ()

(Slide) He gave God’s thoughts of Daniel (highly esteemed) (v.11) - did you know this is the 2nd time called highly esteemed (or in one version highly favored) Dan9:23 and 10:19; 3rd time touched by angel (Dan8:18, 9:21, now 10:16, 18-19)

(Slide) He told him he was the answer to prayer (v.11, 14) In answer to his prayer, in response to his prayer.

(Slide) The 21 day delay, ever wonder why God delays answering prayer sometimes?

First, there is a spiritual battle going on behind the scenes (v.13) - in the N.T. we can know this too from it holds true today too.

Ephesians 6:12 NASB95

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

(Slide) Reasons God could delay

God wants us to spend more time with Him

Sometimes we don’t even know what we are really asking for

(Slide) Answers sometimes can be delayed for the reasons mentioned, or in this case because of spiritual forces in the heavenly places. the unseen war going on.

On a side note did you notice that the spiritual battle was with the prince of persia? - seems there are demonic angels that are used in specific areas. - there are demonic forces at work, we cannot deny them, they are there, hence why we need to be on the ready all the time. - See Eph6:10,11, 13;

Ephesians 6:10–11 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10–11 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13 NASB95

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Eph 6:

Ephesians 6:10 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

1 Peter 5:8 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

There are spiritual forces in a spiritual war that is going on, we need to be persistent and consistent in our prayers, Daniel had 21 days of prayer. But now how about Jesus words.

In Lk11:9-13 -we are told to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking!

Luke 9:11–13 NASB95

11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

Luke 11:9–13 NASB95

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Daniel did not give up (read vv.

(Slide) Effects of the vision (vv.15-19)

(Slide) Speechless (v.15)

(Slide) Anguished and without strength (v.16)

(Slide) Breathless (v.17)

Do you ever feel speechless, anguished or breathless when you look at the things going on in the world? Daniel was about to get more words of comfort, and it’s comfort that is applicable to us too.

(Slide) O Man of High Esteem! (vv.18-19)

(Slide) Touched and strengthened (v.18)

(Slide) Edified and encouraged and results (v.19)

(slide) Daniel a man of God, high esteemed, no wonder God dispatched an angel, right? - - but what about Mary when Gabriel appeared to her in Lk1, she is called highly favored.

(Slide) Highly favored (or esteemed) Greek word - Charitoo

That word is used one other time in the N.T. ()

Ephesians 1:6 NASB95

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

(Slide) That same word, used for Daniel a man of God, Mary a teenager used by God and concerning YOU! - you are loved as much as Daniel, favored as much as Mary because you are in Christ!

IV. Prayerwarrior- Promise Given

(Read vv.20-21) Daniel still does not have the understanding he was praying for but the battle is not over and the angel must leave to continue to battle, but promises to return and tell him what is to come.

So, if you don’t have the answer for a prayer yet, don’t give up, keep at it, it maybe delayed for the reasons we mentioned today, including due to spiritual battles going on that we cannot see but feel the effect.

Invitation: there is another promise given, JESUS so be His! Remember you are His and walk in that faith even if you don’t see the results right now.

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