Daily EncouragementSample

So the heavenly messenger spoke to Daniel. We may never have experienced an angelic visitation, but we can still find encouragement in the fact that here in this passage we see a man seeking the Lord and receiving a response from him.

The mark of the spiritual is that they want to know more. They are moved, as Daniel was, when reading the Scriptures (Dan. 9:2-3). This reading often causes them to turn to the Lord in prayer with a new desire to humble themselves before him, to know his will and to see his blessing upon his people and the world. There is a place for the spiritual retreat for the individual or the group, provided this is its motive.

There is always an immediate divine response to such a definite turning to him. “Don’t be afraid . . . since the first day . . . your words were heard . . . .” “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer. 33:3). Daniel must at some time have read, those very words

But if God’s response is immediate, our actual experience of his answer may be delayed. There is mystery here to do with realms and powers beyond our understanding, but if we wait on the Lord we shall not wait in vain.