A Strong Faith

Faith In Action  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 30 views

To persevere in faith despite uncertainties and discouragement.

Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

Introduction

Few of us can say that when we have found ourselves at our lowest point, an angel reached down to lift us up! In the midst of his vision, a “man” appeared to Daniel (). After Daniel’s strength and energy had crashed, the man pulled Daniel to his hands and knees. The man affirmed Daniel (verse 11) and taught him.
Last week’s study covered Daniel’s fervent prayer of repentance on behalf of himself, his captive people, and his homeland in Judah. The verses immediately following () record a response to Daniel by the angel Gabriel while Daniel was praying. Gabriel said he had come to give Daniel understanding regarding what lay ahead for God’s people.
The prophecy of the seventy seven years follows. It includes descriptions of some of the Messiah’s achievements, though persistent questions remain regarding how to interpret details of the prophecy.
introduces a chronological note: “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given Daniel.” This was the year 537 or 536 BC, two or three years after the aforementioned prayer (see ). The exact nature of the revelation to Daniel is not provided in the text, although verse 1 goes on to say that “its message was true and it concerned a great war.” In addition, “the understanding of the message came to him in a vision.”
Whatever this consisted of, Daniel records a period of “three weeks” during which he mourned and suspended his daily routine of eating and grooming (,). We do not know the reason for Daniel’s mourning. then describes a vision that Daniel had “on the bank of the great river, the Tigris”. An unidentified but spectacular, powerful figure appeared to him. While the figure is not identified, some suggest he may be the angel Gabriel, in keeping with other visions. The bewildered Daniel eventually fell into “a deep sleep” as the unidentified individual spoke (). This is the point at which our printed text begins.
The bewildered Daniel eventually fell into “a deep sleep” as the unidentified individual spoke (). This is the point at which our printed text begins.

Faith Relieves Fear - , )

Daniel 10:10–11 NRSV
But then a hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. He said to me, “Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” So while he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling.
We do not know how long Daniel remains in his “deep sleep” with his “face to the ground” as the verse before this one describes (). Listening to a voice had led to the sleep, and now the touch of a hand results in the opposite. He awakens to the point of being on all fours. We can compare this with what happens to the prophet Ezekiel in . He is a contemporary of Daniel; Ezekiel’s ministry is carried out among the captives in exile, whereas Daniel remains at the royal court in a more official capacity. We do not know whether the two men ever met.
In verse 11 when a heavenly messenger appears to someone, a word of commendation may be spoken first. That happens here as well, and this is not the first time a heavenly messenger has called Daniel highly esteemed. In order for Daniel to be able to consider carefully the words that will be spoken to him, he must be fully awake; that may be why his is directed to stand up. Daniel had been deep sleep earlier, but Gabriel touched him and set him in an upright position.
After Gabriel spoke to him then, he “was worn out ....exhausted for several days”. As we encounter the unexpected situations of life, may our trust in the Lord help us put aside our fears so we can face our trials with courage. Daniel’s God is our God. As God responded and strengthened Daniel, so also God will strengthen us for his tasks.
What steps can you take to ensure that your memory of God’s love will be a source of strength during a difficult time? In times of physical suffering; in times of spiritual suffering.

Faith Welcomes the Future -

Daniel 10:12–14 NRSV
He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.”
Daniel 10:12-14
Along with or in place of words of commendation, the words do not be afraid are sometimes spoken by a heavenly messenger to the recipient. As this messenger speaks of the first day that Daniel set (his) mind to gain understanding, perhaps the reference is to the series of dreams and visions Daniel has been given. It is also possible that the messenger’s words in the verse before us describe Daniel’s response to the angel Gabriel’s message in . Daniel’s act of chastening himself would then refer to his three-week period of mourning and his denying himself certain food and drink and portion of his daily care. Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 may be the words to which the messenger is now responding, or possibly the reference may be to prayers that Daniel offered during his three weeks of mourning.
Perhaps most important to note from this verse is the description of Daniel’s spiritual condition: he has set his mind to understand God’s ways. Seventy years of captivity in a foreign land have not affected the state of Daniel’s mind or made him bitter toward God. He is firmly committed to the Lord as when he and his friends had first set foot on Babylonian soil.
What are some ways we can help each other remain spiritually constant during hard times? When plans are frustrated; when weariness threatens; when doubts arise; when escapism tempts.
Since a heavenly messenger is speaking these words, one gets the impression that the prince of the Persian kingdom is a spiritual being who stands opposed to the work to be carried out through the Lord’s messengers. Thus he may be seen as representing Satan as he attempts to thwart God’s holy purposes. The struggle represented here may be the reason for the delay in answering Daniel’s prayer.
Verse 13 speaks to Daniel’s detainment. We can only speculate as to what this detainment involved. Perhaps it reflects the struggles that the exiles who have returned home are confronting in their efforts to rebuild the temple and reestablish themselves in their homeland. Are satanic elements at work to counter God’s plan for his people? Is that why Michael has been dispatched to help the messenger speaking with Daniel? We cannot be certain.
In what ways can acknowledging spiritual warfare affect how we endure hard times? Regarding our perspective on purpose; regarding our perspectives on friend and foe; regarding our perspective on resources.
It is one thing to know what will happen; but it’s another thing to know the timing, the when of it. What is being revealed to Daniel will not be fulfilled until a time yet to come. This most likely alludes to what Daniel is about to be told in chapters 11 and 12.

Faith Receives Strength -

Daniel 10:15–19 NRSV
While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one in human form touched my lips, and I opened my mouth to speak, and said to the one who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision such pains have come upon me that I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For I am shaking, no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” Again one in human form touched me and strengthened me. He said, “Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and courageous!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Daniel 10:15-19
Daniel’s reaction to what he hears is similar to his reaction to the earlier vision in , although this time no “deep sleep” is recorded. One can understand his reaction. He has already been given an array of visions and dreams that have left him an emotional and physical wreck. Daniel is an elderly man at this point; this may contribute to a lack of stamina for all of this. Yet here in chapter 10, a heavenly messenger has thus far said, in essence, “But wait - there’s more!” No wonder Daniel can only turn his face toward the ground as he becomes speechless.
Daniel is rescued an individual with the appearance of a man (apparently another angelic being) comes on the scene. This is the fourth of five instances recorded of Daniel’s being touched by a heavenly being (, ; , ). The fact that this touch occurs on Daniel’s lips echoes , and . This enables Daniel to speak, whereupon he immediately confesses his extreme weakness. His use of the term my lord is not to be understood that he sees the one touching him as being deity. Rather, it is a polite term of respect for the being’s exalted status.
Can , ; and 10:10, 16, 18 speak to the usefulness of human touch in counseling situations today? Why or why not? Regarding potentially positive outcomes; regarding potentially negative outcomes.
In verse 17 we get the impression that Daniel speaks these words while literally gasping for air. He remains more than a little unnerved by what he has been privileged to see and hear! But he is still aware of his status: he is merely a servant to the being with whom he converses. In acknowledging his weakness, it is as if Daniel is pleading for a second touch in order to obtain addition strength. And that is indeed what he receives.
In verse 18 Daniel receives a strengthening touch. The one who looked like a man may be the same being who touched him earlier. Interestingly, Daniel’s request for strength is not so that he might question the angelic being. Rather, Daniel has desired strength so that he might be able to listen, as evident in his request Speak, my Lord. Part of the strength Daniel receives must be due to the reaffirmation that he is highly esteemed.
Sometimes we too find ourselves in a state of needing calm assurance from the Lord that we are not alone, that he is still in control, and that he will supply whatever we lack. At other times we may find ourselves in a position of being the channel or conduit of the Lord’s strength to someone who needs it. Such is the privilege of bearing one another’s burdens.
What has to happen to keep communication lines open with God is hard times? When we are tempted to quit; when God seems distant and prayers go unanswered; when we are angry at God.

Conclusion

The vision in provides creative ways to talk about larger issues. Our problems and suffering on earth have a spiritual dimension, even if we don’t affirm that a conflict in heaven directly causes them. Because of this spiritual dimension, we pray about our problems and for those who are sick.
The kind of writing represented by this part of Daniel reminds us that some things are out of our control, and we have to trust God despite those problems. May we, like Daniel, set our hearts to understand and humble ourselves before God so that his Word may accomplish all that he desires of us.

Prayer

When we face setbacks to our faith, O God, give us the strength we need. When we feel overwhelmed and alone, show us that you are with us. We thank you for the ways in which you work through others to nurture our faith; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more