Most of us, when we think of the book of Daniel, picture one of two events. If you grew up in the church, you most likely heard in a Sunday school class about Daniel being thrown into the lions den, or of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into a fiery furnace. In both instances, these men were devout God-followers, but their desire to follow God and His commands put them into a place of peril.
I love these two stories not only because of the dedication of these men, but for the miraculous way God shows up. God’s power knows no limits. Earth’s fiercest threats against man fall powerless before an all powerful God. No lion or fiery furnace can cause harm when His hand is on the situation. Daniel had not a scratch upon his body after spending the night with a pack of lions. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, didn’t even have the scent of smoke upon them while the great furnace torched and killed those who were commanded to throw them in!
These stories are great reminders of God’s power. They are encouraging and inspiring, and yet the majority of chapters found in the book of Daniel that follow the lions den and fiery furnace should not be overlooked either.
In case you haven’t read through the book, or it has been awhile, what follows the miraculous are documented visions that Daniel experiences. You see, God gave Daniel the gift of interpreting dreams. It was one of the ways that God spoke to Daniel – through his dreams. So God reveals to His faithful servant things which for many of us will only be revealed by reading about it.
The visions are similar to reading through the book of Revelation. They are filled with images and symbolism that is not always easy to understand. However, some things really do jump off the page of written text.
We need to keep in mind that Daniel and his friends were captives in the land of Babylon. They had been taken from their homeland and exposed to families being ripped apart. They had seen their people killed before their eyes. Their lives had been spared when many others were not. And now, because of divine purpose and God’s protection, they were decades later being used by Him to shape the hearts of kings and bring change to cultures.
We know that Daniel was in the habit of prayer. We know that he was close to God. But during the time of visions, God reveals to Daniel through His angel Gabriel, “The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.” (Daniel 9:23a) The moment you began praying. Things started shifting. Commands were given. That which was not yet visible to the human eye was set into motion by the vision of the Creator. God hears the prayers of His people. They matter. Prayers bring about change. Change may not always be visible to us, but our prayers have the power to make the most impossible mountains – move.
God welcomes the prayers of His people. He hears our prayers from the first day we begin to pray them. He hears. His strong hand is powerful enough to move even the mountains of greatest height.
Why would He do this? God acts on our behalf not because we deserve it – but because we are His children and He loves us.
God spoke to Daniel through His archangel Gabriel, “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” (Daniel 10:19a) Friend, may God’s words to Daniel also resound in our hearts this day. You are also very precious to God. Rest in the peace that He offers. Be encouraged by the knowledge of His love and care for you. Let His strength be what builds yours.
Blessings!