Daniel 10:12 “Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”

A messenger from God has come to Daniel with words of comfort and reassurance. This messenger is no doubt an angel who is involved in the fight against evil. No one saw the vision but Daniel but others knew something strange was happening and therefore hid themselves. The work of angels is an important one and not everyone who is so visited sees God’s messenger. Daniel did and it left him weak, trembling on his hands and knees. The angel greets him with a phrase often repeated. He calls Daniel a ‘man greatly loved.’ Whatever Daniel’s fears this thought should calm him. He is greatly loved by God.

Daniel is a man of prayer, as we learn all too well in this book. He is also a man whose prayers are heard by God and God responds to them. What does the angel contribute this favor to? Daniel is listening to God and trying to understand. That’s important for all of us. We should be listening to God and studying and praying to gain insight. He also humbled himself before God. Daniel knew who he was and who God was and he acted in accordance with that knowledge. Many claim to know God but their self-appraisal denies the sovereignty of God.

Task for Today: Today imitate the actions of Daniel in your own life. Work to know God in the most intimate way and when you know Him bow down in humility. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. It is obvious that God reacts favorably to those who kneel before Him and do His will.