Warriors Arise: July 22, 2021
Daniel 10:10-12 (NKJV) Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
Seriously, I would have jumped right out of my skin! Daniel is in deep intercession for God to hear his prayers and being as still as possible to make sure he didn't miss God speaking. We know from the text surrounding this that Daniel had been praying or 21 days straight. He was exhausted, but he wasn't giving up. He wasn't leaving. He would remain until he received God's answer.
I am not sure how Daniel heard God before. We know he had visions and dreams but this this time God sent someone from His presence to speak to Daniel. Maybe Daniel was thinking God would speak to him through a vision or a dream. I wonder how long the angel had been standing there deciding how to approach Daniel. He didn't want Daniel to faint from shock. He needed to get Daniel's attention as he continued to pray and pray. I wonder if he tried to interrupt, but Daniel's prayers persisted. Even though the angel "suddenly" touched Daniel it doesn't mean it was a suddenly for the angel. It means Daniel was still pressing in to be heard by God and to hear God. In the midst of his prayers a hand suddenly touches him. Seriously, wouldn't you jump right out of your skin?
Think of a time when you were totally focused on something or maybe your mind was preoccupied and then someone touched you or jumped out and scared you. That was totally mean in middle school. I really wanted to be invisible. I struggled with my schooling, so I didn't want anyone to ask me about my grades or share test scores. I didn't find out until after high school that I had an eye problem which caused migraines headaches for days! There was no relief, unless I learned to block it out. There was not enough Advil or Tylenol. So I had to find other ways. The more I read the worse the headaches would get. It was an intense pain where I saw no end. I would occupy my mind, focus on something else, keep my thoughts elsewhere, so I could find some relief. It really was unbearable. However, it made me a target and people, I should say boys, couldn't understand why I was so gullible and they said I was naive. I really didn't pay attention to much that was said in groups, so I was a little late in getting the jokes. Everyone would be roaring with laughter over a joke, I would hit replay in my mind and then after everyone had stopped laughing I would burst into laughter. Then they were laughing at me. It really was a pain to keep silent and keep my mind focused on whatever need to be done. So, whenever the boys would jump out from behind a corner they would get exactly what they wanted, a laugh; because I was going to jump. Of course, that was after I learned to control my first response. Before I could manage the scare with just a jump or dropping my books I would fill my lungs with air, clinch my fists and scream. I mean it made your skin crawl! Since my mind was occupied, I had to "come back to earth" to stop the scream. Most of the time, the same person didn't try to scare me again, because they got a scream they were definitely not prepared for.
This Scripture makes me wonder if the angel was wondering the best way to get Daniel's attention. Should he make an announcement like the angel would to Mary or appear coming toward him like the Lord of Hosts did to Joshua? But Daniel was in prayer. He knew God should be rsponding, the 70 years of captivity is over. God would not fail to respond to His word. Daniel had been faithful to pray, it has been 21 days. Where is God? Why is He silent? Daniel continues to press into prayer. He doesn't want any distractions. So the angel, not wanting to scare Daniel to death, has to find a way to get his attention.
Instead of words, he chose to touch Daniel. Maybe the touch released a sense of peace. This angel had been in the presence of God. He was sent directly from God the very first day Daniel started to pray. God gives us the peace that surpasses all understanding. So, where Daniel might have been frightened by the angel standing before him, he received a touch from one who had been in the presence of God, the essence of peace.
The angel is not God but he has come from the present of God. Daniel doesn't see him, maybe his eyes are closed as he is praying. But the angel has a message to deliver. The angel, who has been instructed by God, in the presence of God, carrying the authority of God, to deliver a message from God, touches Daniel. I believe if an angel sent by God to deliver message to me where to touch me, I would be trembling as well. God stepped up His game. He had given Daniel visions, interpretations of mysteries things, and dreams. Now, God has sent an angel and he touched Daniel.
Father, I don't know but my mind is trying to warp around the idea of one of Your angels reaching out to touch me, to get my attention; so that he can deliver the message You have given him. He is delivering the message I need to hear. I don't look for an angel to speak to me. But if You send an angel I pray I will receive the message he brings. Daniel's experience encourages me to receive from You anyway You want to deliver the message and guide my life. I ask for my eyes to see You and my ears to hear when You speak. I ask that I would not turn away Your messenger but steady my heart and mind to receive Your message in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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