Daniel

Daniel 10: Daniel is heard and strengthened

Begin in prayer

Before we read how a man came to Daniel, please ask God to show us that Daniel was heard and was strengthened when he was weak.

My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.

Psalm 119:28

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Daniel's words were heard from the first day, and help us to see Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a true word about a great warfare is revealed to Daniel. Daniel mourns for three weeks, and then by the great river he sees a man clothed in linen. Only Daniel sees the vision, and he falls on his face with no strength left. A hand sets him on his knees, and the man says, “Daniel, you man greatly beloved.” He tells Daniel not to be afraid, because from the first day his words were heard. The man says he was held back twenty-one days until Michael came to help. Then one like a man strengthens Daniel and says, “be strong, yes, be strong.”

As you read Daniel 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

From the first day Daniel's words were heard, and he was strengthened when he was weak.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a true word about a great warfare was revealed to Daniel (verse 1). Daniel mourned three whole weeks, and then he saw a man clothed in linen by the great river (verses 2 to 5). Only Daniel saw the vision, and no strength remained in him (verses 7 and 8). A hand set him on his knees, and the man said, “Daniel, you man greatly beloved” (verses 10 and 11). He told Daniel, “Don’t be afraid,” because from the first day his words were heard (verse 12). The man said he was held back twenty-one days until Michael came to help (verse 13). Daniel was mute and had no breath left, but one like a man touched and strengthened him (verses 15 to 18). Daniel answered, “you have strengthened me” (verse 19). Daniel's words were heard from the first day, even before he saw any answer.

How does Daniel 10 show us that Daniel's words were heard from the first day, and that he was strengthened when he was weak?

Daniel's words were heard from the first day.

Daniel had mourned three whole weeks, and he ate no pleasant bread (verses 2 and 3). The man said his words were heard from the first day he set his heart to humble himself (verse 12). The man said, “I have come for your words’ sake” (verse 12). The man said he was held back twenty-one days until Michael came to help him (verse 13).

Daniel was weak, but one like a man strengthened him.

Daniel was left alone, and no strength remained in him (verse 8). He fell into a deep sleep on his face, and a hand set him on his knees (verses 9 and 10). He stood trembling, and he was mute with no breath left in him (verses 11, 15 and 17). One like the appearance of a man touched him again and strengthened him (verse 18).

He told Daniel he was greatly beloved and to be strong.

He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid” (verse 19). He said, “peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong” (verse 19). Daniel answered, “you have strengthened me” (verse 19). Jesus knows our weakness, for He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4 verse 15).

Memorise

Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.

Daniel 10:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I go when I am weak, and do I come to Jesus?

Daniel had no strength left, and one like a man strengthened him. Jesus invites everyone who is weary and burdened to come to Him (Matthew 11 verse 28).

The weakness that goes deepest is our sin, and no one can strengthen himself out of it. So Jesus went to the cross for His people and paid for their sins. His one sacrifice never needs to be repeated. Death could not keep Him, for He rose in the power of an endless life.

So come to Him in your weakness. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him is made clean, and He gives them strength for each day.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Daniel's words were heard from the first day, and that he was strengthened when he was weak. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, verses 13 and 20 speak of unseen struggles, so please say only what the text says.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for strengthening Daniel when he was weak, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Lord God, thank You that Daniel's words were heard from the first day. Thank You for strengthening him when he was weak. We are weak too, and we need Jesus. Please help us come to Him and trust Him. Amen.