Loved In Spiritual Warfare
“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (Daniel 10:12 NIV)
Have you ever prayed and wondered what happened? Moments where you were unsure what happens after you get off your knees. Talking to God and wondering why life is going the way it is. Praying for change, pleading for assistance, only to be left wondering, “Does God even hear me?”
It is possible that Daniel felt the same way. We pick up the story when the famed prophet was a nonagenarian, and still hundreds of miles from his homeland. He was taken captive as a teenager; faced certain death multiple times. Yet with each challenge, trusted in the promise and power of God to deliver him, and each time, God did. Even with a spiritual resume that includes sleeping in a lion's den and facing diabolical kings, there were still moments in his life where God took His time to answer Daniel.
Daniel shunned the doubts and continued to trust in God. His relationship with God afforded him positions he was not qualified for and a life of adventure.That adventure carried him to the lion's den.
Nestled in the concluding chapters of his book, Daniel received divine confirmation that God was in the process of answering his prayer. We get a glimpse into the spiritual realm only to see spiritual warfare is real. His prayer was not going unanswered because God wasn’t prepared to respond or that He needed time to think about it. Rather, the Devil and his angels literally attempted to block the answer to his prayer. As a result, some things God does for us takes time because we wrestle against spiritual forces we are unable to see.
How should we respond once we realize there are other factors that impact our prayers? We can do what Daniel did, continue to trust God and become intentional about seeking God’s face. Daniel spent 21 days fasting and praying so that nothing would distract him from hearing from God. It may not take you 21 days of fasting, but what it will take is focused attention on hearing from God. An unquenchable passion to be in His presence.
David paints it best when he says “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10). Isaiah says, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not be weary and walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31) Know that you’re not alone. Know that God has not forsaken or forgotten you. Trust that God is more powerful than the enemy, and in God’s time, He’ll provide what you need. He loves you that much.
The beauty in the text is not that there is spiritual warfare. We can have peace knowing that God is fighting for us when we’re praying. Just because we don’t see Him, doesn’t mean He isn’t working on our behalf. God sent a heavenly messenger to confirm to Daniel that he was not forgotten and to remind him heaven is fighting for him. Today, you have your confirmation. The fact that you are reading this blog is God reminding you that He hears you and is working things out for your good and HIs glory no matter what the enemy tries.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV)
Thought Questions:
- What prayer request do you have up before God that seems to have been blocked lately?
- Which scripture included in this blog will help encourage and remind you to keep trusting and praying?
