Receiving a message
Daniel would have been awestruck to have an angel visit him and must have poured much time into thinking over and appreciating the message. Someone not used to receiving such special revelations from God might have had feelings of inadequacy or impostor syndrome, and even though Daniel has seen visions before he is still assured that he is ‘greatly loved’ (Daniel 9:23). Daniel received a prophecy, and he would have understood that the time frame of its fulfilment may not come to pass in his lifetime. He would have been longing to see it regardless. We can feel the same way about the return of Christ in our circumstances.
Waiting for an answer
We will have questions and concerns that we will be praying about, just as Daniel was. When we receive an answer, however, it will not likely come from an angel but through our life circumstances, or ‘doors’ of opportunity opening and closing, or through the Word of God (Colossians 4:2-4). Reading the Bible with prayer and humility is how the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s will to us (Psalm 25:9).
If we in fact love the Father and are living according to his will, nothing will hold us back from searching out his Word, getting closer to him and receiving revelation from him; the answers to our prayers (James 4:7-10). This closeness to God can be seen and felt. Others will see our life begin to resemble Christ’s. Meanwhile we experience contentment, joy and peace in time spent with God (John 14:21-23).
Being watchful
Sin has the effect of sowing discontent and strife into our lives, leading to separation from God in our day-to-day experience (Galatians 5:19-21). A key to combatting sin in our lives is to replace it with good, in whatever form it takes (Eph. 4:25-32). Thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ we are freed from the sin which would have eternally separated us from God’s goodness, and have the opportunity to live in his peace when we keep his commandments.
Daniel Jones, The Church of God in Cardiff
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