In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:1-3 NKJV
In this life we face struggles, trials and devastating tragedies at times which tear at our hearts. When we look at all the tragedies surrounding us, we weep for those who are hurting. Devastating floods, angry mobs, corruption, terrorist attacks, poverty, cancer, and the unending list of battlefields surrounding our hearts and minds. What can we possibly do? Is joy something we should even hope for? Desire? Can we over shadow all the pain by clinging tight to joys of this world? Can we drown ourselves in success, money, things, friends, pleasures and trivialities to pretend that our heart does not ache? Or is there a different steadfast joy and hope on which we can cling to in the middle of this battlefield called life? An ember of joy that cannot and will not be destroyed. A tiny ember of joy living and abiding deep within the heart of each believer. That ember of joy, anchored tight to Jesus Christ, does not allow our ship to crash when life’s storms crash around us.
It was the third year of the reign of Cyrus. The decree for the Jewish people to return home had already occurred two years prior. God had fulfilled his promise. Daniel had been first hand witness of the Sovereignty of God, the Grace extended to a pagan King, and so many miracles that had been performed. Daniel had spoken with an angel sent from God who had proclaimed Daniel to be beloved of God. Daniel had been shown that the final victory would be won in the end when Jesus Christ would take His throne both on earth and heaven when every knee would bow. Despite all this, we see Daniel fall into a deep depression of spirit as he realized that there would be wars, tribulation, sorrows and periods of devastation yet to come before the final victory. He took his eyes off the finish line and began to look at the rocky cliffs, the raging waters and the storms ahead.
In this, I must confess, I am at times so much like Daniel. As foolish as it may seem, often it comes immediately after some miraculous victory that God has lavished by Grace upon my life. Then I begin to look around me or even deep within. I see the suffering of the world crying out and become saddened by my inability to help more. Or convicted in how much I have wasted on self-exalting, selfish pleasures or desires in my lifetime. The ashes of all my own failures or frailties as proof of my unworthiness. Yet, in the midst of that God sends forth His messenger of hope, love, faith, and joy. It is His Grace that reaches forth.
So it was with Daniel in the middle of his despair.
“Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude….no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” Daniel 10:4-11 NKJV
Daniel saw a vision of Glory. There is debate by scholars as to whether Daniel was given a vision of Christ or whether this was Gabriel again sent as messenger. After reading it over and over, I do believe that there were both. As Daniel describes the event, he seems to refer to two beings—the one who stood before him and another who twice touched his lips and had been the original vison of glory. The second being appeared as a man and gave him strength to hear the words of the other. I will one day understand when I stand before the throne whether Christ had also appeared to Daniel; but, until then it does not change the truth that God sent to Daniel a messenger to comfort and strengthen him during his despair. Most likely the messenger in the story was Gabriel or another messenger angel; because, the angels of God are those who are battling the demons of this world at God’s command.
The messenger angel does go on to say,
“Don’t be frightened, Daniel, for your request has been heard in heaven and was answered the very first day you began to fast before the Lord and pray for understanding; that very day I was sent here to meet you.13 But for twenty-one days the mighty Evil Spirit[a]who overrules the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help me, so that I was able to break through these spirit rulers of Persia. 14 Now I am here to tell you what will happen to your people, the Jews, at the end times—for the fulfillment of this prophecy is many years away.” Daniel 10:12-14 TLB
Lessons for You and Me
1. Surrounding us is a Spiritual Battleground that is trying to steal our faith, our hope and our joy in Christ. The Final Victory has already been guaranteed by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross and was resurrected. God will accomplish all that He has planned to draw to Himself all those who will receive His Gift of Grace.
2. Whenever we despair of this world’s sorrow, we need just to look up and see His Glory surrounding us
3. Our prayers are heard and answered immediately by our loving Heavenly Father. Any delay is His Army preparing the way through an evil world for His message of grace to be delivered to us
4. We, who know Jesus Christ as our Savior, are God’s Beloved.
[bctt tweet=”When we think life has quenched any hope of joy we find in Christ a steadfast ember that never dies” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”In Christ, our steadfast joy is an undying ember waiting to burst forth into flames of vibrant joy” username=”effiedarlene”]
Photo used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@mtrunz
Living Bible (TLB)The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New King James Version(NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.