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Reading & Devotional Guide: Daniel 10

Passion City Church
December 2, 2024

Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.

 

 

This Week’s Reading: Daniel 10, Revelation 1, Acts 9, Ephesians 6

 

Daniel 10 offers a rare and breathtaking glimpse into the connection between our earthly struggles and the spiritual reality behind the scenes. As Daniel mourns, prays, and fasts for his people, he is drawn into a divine encounter that shakes him to his core. This chapter reminds us that God sees, hears, loves us and moves Heaven on our behalf. 

 1. Fasting & Prayer

– Read Daniel 10:1-4 – 

 

The chapter begins with Daniel (around 85 years old) burdened by the challenges facing his people, committing himself to three weeks of mourning and prayer. He abstains from rich food, wine, and personal comforts, choosing instead to focus entirely on seeking God. This act of fasting and prayer reveals Daniel’s intense desire to align his heart with God’s purposes during a season of discouragement.  

 

Daniel’s example invites us to deny our everyday comforts and wholeheartedly seek God in our moments of uncertainty. His disciplines of prayer and fasting remind us that intimacy with God often requires setting aside our pleasures to pursue Him more deeply.  

 

Reflection: Is there something weighing on your heart that you need to bring before God in focused prayer?  

 

2. A Radiant Encounter

– Read Daniel 10:5-9 – 

While standing by the Tigris River, Daniel has a vision of a heavenly figure whose appearance radiates divine majesty. Dressed in linen (a symbol of purity and priestly service), with a golden belt (denoting royalty or judgment), this figure’s description emphasizes both holiness and authority. Most scholars suggest this figure is an angel, perhaps Gabriel, given his role in earlier visions. Others note how the overwhelming effect on Daniel and the description of this man closely relate to the description of Christ Jesus in Revelation 1:12-16.

 

Only Daniel sees the vision. But his companions feel the supernatural presence so strongly that they flee in terror. This encounter echoes Paul’s encounter on the Damascus Road, where only Paul saw Christ, while others experienced his power indirectly (Acts 9:1–7).  

 

This moment reminds us of the vastness of God’s glory. His presence–as well as his messengers’ presence–shake us, humble us, and leaves no room for pride. Yet, it also reveals the beauty of encountering a God who is beyond our comprehension.  

 

Reflection: How does the majesty of God inspire awe and reverence in your relationship with Him?  

 

3. Loved & Heard

– Read Daniel 10:10-14 – 

As Daniel lies face down, a heavenly messenger touches him and reassures him that he is “greatly loved.” The messenger reveals to Daniel that from the very first day he began praying, his words were heard in Heaven. Daniel is not only loved by God, he is also heard. Yet God’s response to his prayers took time—spiritual opposition resisted the messenger for 21 days until Michael, the leading angel, intervened.  

 

This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the spiritual realm highlights the significance of our prayers. Even when we don’t see immediate results, our persistent prayer does two things: (1) moves the heart of Heaven and (2) moves both the earthly and spiritual realms.  

 

Reflection: You, too, are “greatly loved” and heard by God. How does that reality change your prayer life?

 

4. Strength in Weakness

– Read Daniel 10:15-19 – 

As the vision continues, Daniel feels utterly overwhelmed and drained. But the messenger gently reassures him, saying, “Fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” With this encouragement and a second touch, Daniel finds his strength restored and his spirit renewed. Heaven’s response to Daniel’s weakness is tender care. Daniel is not left to struggle on his own, but is provided the strength and peace he needs to endure. 

 

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s peace and strength lifting you out of exhaustion or discouragement.

 

5. The Unseen Battle

– Read Daniel 10:20-21 – 

The chapter closes with the messenger explaining that the spiritual battle is far from over. He must return to confront the “prince of Persia” and later deal with the “prince of Greece.” These are not worldly princes, these are spiritual forces of darkness. However, Daniel is reassured that the angel Michael, Israel’s protector, stands with God’s people. While spiritual forces may influence events, God’s purposes will always prevail.  

 

This entire passage reveals several key truths about angels. Angels are real and play an active role in both the spiritual and earthly realms. There are both good and evil angels: good angels serve God and accomplish His will, while demonic forces oppose God and oppress His people. 

 

This all points to the reality of spiritual warfare. As unbelievable as it may sound: angels, demons, and believers are engaged in an ongoing battle– which explains why life can always feel conflicting. This is what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” 

 

That can seem discouraging and intimidating. The good news is that “you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The Stronger One–Jesus–is here and alive and able to fight off the darkness in your own life.

 

Reflection: We exist in a spiritual war. How can you trust Jesus in this battle and stand firm in Him?

 

Prayer

Lord, 

Thank You for loving me and hearing me. 

Would you give me the kind of spirit

That is desperate for you in discouragement.

Remind me that even in unseen battles, 

You are fighting for me and accomplishing Your purposes. 

I rest in your sovereign care and glory. 

Amen.  

Scripture References

5I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
7I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.
8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.
9Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
10A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12Then 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.
13But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
15While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.
16Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.
17How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.
19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

20So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come;
21but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
Passion City Church
Passion City Church
Content created by the team at Passion City Church. Passion City Church is a Jesus Church. A small tribe of His followers connected by our common faith and a deep desire to see our city [and the world] come to know His power and beauty. We are not perfect. But Jesus is. Thankfully, we are a Jesus Church.