ANSWERS

 

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill—

 

     This is such a powerful truth that we are about to embark on.  When I came across this portion years ago it changed my whole view of prayer.  So here is Daniel doing three things.  First, he is speaking and praying.  Daniel has been praying this prayer.  This is the secret of the power of prayer.  You must speak out what is on your heart.  James 4:2, states that you have not because you ask not.  Prayer is so revealing.  When you speak out what is in your heart it gives clarity to the situation.  Your thoughts are expressed.  You are having a conversation with God.  You are confessing with your mouth.  Your words become real and life giving.  You are agreeing with the Holy Spirit.  Secondly, Daniel was identifying and taking responsibility for his part in this real life drama.  Daniel was a victim of the judgment of God.  He was in Babylon because of the sins of his leaders and the people.  This was real to Daniel.  He had been a captive in a foreign land.  He saw the glory of the temple and now he was believing for its restoration.  Daniel was confessing his sin and the sin of my people.  Daniel was truly interceding for his nation.  He was confessing his part in the current situation.  Daniel was in deep prayer.  He wanted and needed an answer.  Daniel thirdly, was making his request .  He is talking to His Lord and God.  That is who we are addressing when we pray.  That is why prayer is so powerful because the one who is all power is standing it.  Never belittle prayer.  Never underestimate its power or influence.  Prayer is the one way to move the hand of God quickly the other is fasting.  Daniel was praying for Jerusalem, Zion and the temple.

 

21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.

 

     So here is Daniel he is still in prayer and Gabriel the angel he had seen in an earlier vision came to Him.  Gabriel is the messenger angel of the Lord.   Daniel had been praying and the answer came to him in the same time that he was praying.  You pray and the answer is instantaneous.  This verse shows the urgency of which God meant to answer Daniel’s request.  So powerful to know God wants to answer your prayer.  This gives us hope, faith and confidence when we pray.  This also shows there is a God and He answers prayer.  Now the answer came at the time of the evening sacrifice.  This tells us the time in which Daniel was praying.  It was about 6 p.m.   Daniel had finished for the day.  This was his third prayer time of the day.  Now it is interesting that Daniel mentioned this because at the time there was no sacrifices being made but Daniel is speaking in faith that the temple would be rebuilt and the sacrifices of redemption would be restored.  Prayer is speaking those things that aren’t as if they are.

 

22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.

 

Gabriel came with a threefold purpose.  First, he came to instruct Him and to teach him.  To show Him things he did not know or could not understand without divine help.  That is why the Bible is a closed book until the Holy Spirit comes and reveals it to us.  He takes what He hears and makes it known to us. 

Secondly, Gabriel came to give Daniel insight.  Insight means to have a deep understanding of a person or thing.  This is something the Lord wants us to have.  It is His gift to his people.    Gabriel was sent to give understanding.  Understanding means to the ability to comprehend, to have insight and good judgment.   Daniel needed to see things form God’s perspective.  This helps calm a situation.  It brings trust and faith.  Daniel was not left in the dark.  God wants us to know the truth and have the truth set us free.  His wants us to know His perfect and acceptable will and that is why the Bible is so important.  Did you know that 90% of God’s will come directly from reading the Bible? 

 

23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:

 

Gabriel tells Daniel and us.  As soon as you began to pray a word went out.    As soon as you prayed the answer was on its way.  That is the power of prayer.  As soon as you pray God is moving heaven and earth to answer.  You have not because you asked not.  Even before the word is out of your mouth the answer is on the way.  Gabriel was sent, he came to tell Daniel he is highly esteemed, favored and loved.  God look at us this way.  Do you seen yourself as highly esteem, favored or loved?  Well you are.  He tells Daniel to consider the word.  Consider what the Word says.  Read it, think about it and then apply it.  God has something to say to you every day and when you have devotions this is the time to connect with God.