¹¹ “And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. ¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.”

10:11

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

The angel depicted Daniel as a man “greatly beloved” and understanding in God’s eyes.  Daniel was a man engaged in knowing God and God’s will. 

10:12

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.”

This angel came to Daniel in answer to His prayer and humility.  There was a slight delay in answer to Daniel’s prayer. 

Daniel “set” his heart to understand and “to humble” himself before God in prayer.  He gave himself to the goal of knowing God’s purpose in the vision.  The blandishments of this world did not affect Daniel’s pride.  He gave his entire heart to the Lord.  His purpose was not to be famous, wealthy, or successful.  These things did not move his heart. 

PRINCIPLE: 

We come to God in prayer by the authority of grace and not personal merit. 

APPLICATION: 

We do not need to persuade God in prayer or harass Him for answered prayer.  Those who do not know God pray this way.  They try to gain His approbation.  Jesus said to “ask.”  God does what He promises to do.  Ask, simply ask. 

Mt 7:7-8, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Jas 4:2, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”

“Ask” is a simple request.  “Seek” involves investigation into the will of God.  “Knock” is repetition; we come to God again and again in prayer.  All three have a guarantee:

·        Ask – and it shall be given

·        Seek – and you shall find

·        Knock – and it will be opened to you.

Answers are sure when we base our prayer on what God says He will do. 

However, God delays answers to prayer according to His will.  Daniel’s answer to prayer did not come for three weeks.  There was a battle in the heavens, of which he was very unaware.  Why do people fly planes loaded with people into the World Trade Center?  This is demon activity.  We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but fallen angels.