Visions of Daniel

We can’t do a devotional in the book of Daniel without acknowledging that God answered Daniel time and time again with incredible, out-of-this-world visions that have bamboozled people from that time on.

In his time of prayer, while Daniel is confessing his sin and the sin of his people Israel, God sends Gabriel to speak to Daniel. The vision is incredible but when we pray God answers in visions and dreams. The first thing to understand is that God will get the answers to you in any way he can, sometimes it might be through his Word, sometimes prayer, sometimes people, and sometimes visions and dreams.

When you look at the visions of Daniel there are a couple of things you should notice:

Visions were from God

When God answers your prayer in visions, the first point of call to interpret them is God himself. Sometimes in the visions of Daniel, God explains the answer, and then at times, he doesn’t. Visions are from God and the way they will unfold in our lives is up to God.

The Visions were in answer to prayer

In Daniel 9, Daniel is praying and God gives him a vision to answer his question and show him the future.

While I was speaking and praying, confessing … while I was still in prayer, Gabriel…
- Daniel 9:20-21

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
- Daniel 10:2-3

Prayer activates God to answer in visions, dreams, and miracles. Because of what Christ did in his death and resurrection, we are now empowered by the Holy Spirit and everyone will see visions and prophesy.

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
- Acts 2:17

Visions and dreams are not for the elite few but for everyone to get answers from God about our past, present, and future.

Prayer for today

Lord, I thank you that you choose to answer with visions and dreams. And as prophesied by Joel and Peter, that you have called us to be filled with your Holy Spirit and to see visions and dreams. Thank you that you will answer our prayers with visions and give us wisdom on how to interpret them well.