Daniel 9:20-10  Gabriel came to Daniel again.   As Daniel prayed the Lord sent Gabriel to bring an answer.  Daniel was praying for the promised restoration of Israel. The answer is quite mysterious.. "Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place." ( v24)  Then he talks about the Messiah.. seven weeks and sixty-two weeks.. and then the Messiah being cut off...  and it is all beyond me. 

Then in chapter 10 Daniel is given another vision and is visited by " a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult." (v5-6)  This vision caused Daniel to fall on his face and pass out.  "Then behold a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.."  We are told that this "man" had spent 21 days fighting with the "prince of the kingdom of Persia", but was helped by Michael, " one of the chief princes".   He touched Daniel and restored strength to his body and gave him one message, "O man of high esteem; do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" 

As I thought about this passage and the difficult visions, my prayer was, " Lord, may I hear Your heart!"  I do not understand much of this.. the weeks and the angels..  but this I understand.. there is a heavenly battle being waged over the nations.. and the Lord wants us to be aware of this.  He wants us to know that He has the future.. of Daniel.. of Israel.. of the whole earth and every one of us.. in His Hands.  He calls us to faith.. faith that takes courage so we can be courageous. 

We  can face the future.. always a mystery to us.. with the understanding that our Lord is in control.. that He will win every battle and that no force or power.. not even those supernatural beings who oppose Him... can stand. 

Father, we can trust in Your greatness, Your faithfulness, and Your Sovereignty.  Things may not look great for our nation at this time, but there is One who can and will overcome the darkness!  Jesus Christ is King forever and will be exalted in all the earth!  May that day come soon.. and may we be ready.. doing all that we can.. with courage.. to stand firm, resist evil, and keep praying.  Your Word is our sword and faith is our shield. We put on the helmet of salvation.. for You are our help and You cover us with Your grace and mercy.  We take up the Truth as our belt and Righteousness as our breastplate. We put on the shoes of peace.. ready to stand.. to follow.. and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need this great salvation that only You can provide.  Fill us Spirit of God and use us as You will. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.