Daniel 10:16-19 “Strength”

Here’s my fairly literal translation of these verses:

¹⁶And behold! [One] like forms of sons of men one touching upon my lips and I opened my mouth and I spoke and one saying to one standing before me, “My lord, in the vision, my pains have turned upon me, and I have not retained strength. ¹⁷And how is the servant of this my lord able to speak with this my lord and I from now not is standing in me strength and breath is not left in me. ¹⁸And it was again and [one] as a form of a man touched me and he strengthened me. ¹⁹And he said, “Do not fear, man greatly valued. Peace to you. Be strong and be strong.” And as he [was] speaking with me, I was strengthened and I said, “Speak, my lord, because you have made me strong.”

This chapter of Daniel is such a flood of helpful instruction, I hardly know where to stop! Look back at v.14, then look ahead at v.21. In 14, the angel says, “I have come to explain to you what will happen in the future…”, then in 21, he says, “I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth” and proceeds with the prophecies of chapter 11. Notice that, in between, vv.15-20 are all about how it affected Daniel. Why did the Lord see fit to put in those six verses? Why not just get on with the prophecies? Why would He take up six verses of Scripture to record for us how it all affected Daniel?

I hope at least one answer is obvious to all of us – the Lord wants us to know. And if He wants us to know, it’s because there is something (many things?) He wants us to learn. Remember from I Corinthians 10, “Now these things occurred as examples to us…These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the end of the ages has come…” (vv.6,11).

As I often relate, the Bible is a book of discipleship. If someone is reading or studying but not looking first and foremost for how the Lord wants to change their hearts and lives, they’re missing the point. If it was just a book of facts to be compiled, why take up six verses focused almost entirely on how it all affected Daniel and how he responded? Why would that matter? “Let’s get on with the good stuff,” some Bible fact-finder would say. No. Instead, let’s pause and realize what a jewel this is —to be given this rather extended description of a very godly man’s experience in the very presence of the glorified Jesus and His angels! I am quite sure there is much to learn and I’m also sure, if I live long enough to come back and study this again, I’ll find even more. As the Samaritan woman observed, “The well is deep!” (Jn. 4:11).

Notice what gives Daniel the strength to stand in the Angel’s presence – the Angel touches him; the Angel encourages him; then he can stand and speak. What do we learn from that? That our strength must come from heaven itself! No wonder the Lord tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). From heaven -- That is precisely where our “strength” comes from. I personally find a huge part of spiritual growth is simply learning to practice that truth. No matter what the challenge before me, big or small, at work or at home, I must be constantly learning to seek the Lord’s strength and wisdom, and “day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here.”

Notice too that Daniel’s strength is supplied by degrees. John Calvin observed, “I am never surprised when God raises us gradually by distinct steps, and cures our infirmity by degrees…” He goes on, “…if even a single drop of His virtue is supplied to us, we should be content with this consolation, until He should complete what He begun within us.” We are, of course, the McDonald’s generation – we want it now. However, it is part of maturity to realize that is rarely ever the Lord’s plan. He grows us just like everything else – slowly and by degrees. Even with Creation itself, He could have done it all in a flash, yet He spent seven days at it, with one in which He did nothing at all! Calvin’s point was that we should not be frustrated when we pray for answers, but they seem to come slowly. That’s just our Lord and we must learn to trust Him and wait on Him. “Wait, I say on the Lord, and He shall strengthen your heart” (Ps. 27:14).

There is soooo much more to observe here, but I’d better stop for today. Oh, may Daniel’s example be my own map and compass! In this great spiritual battle of life, may I learn like him to be humble yet trust the Lord for the great things He would do in me and through me.

And I want it now! …just kidding.

“And as he [was] speaking with me, I was strengthened and I said, ‘Speak, my lord, because you have made me strong.’”