This is a three-day plan of encouragement for people diagnosed with a chronic disease. Daniel chapter 10 is a picture of our spiritual renewal in the strengthening power of God’s Word. We can trust Him through challenges to our physical health as we obtain a clearer picture of our eternal health.
Mysty Pfeffer
Day 1
Scriptures: Daniel 10, Daniel 10:19
How blessed are we that our Father and Creator opens our eyes to the same encouragement He gives Daniel? For we, like he who loves God, also cry out to our Lord in our distress. We see Daniel as an example of faith under fire in this passage. He sees the destruction and devastation coming upon the people he loves.
Although our circumstances may be different, we too see havoc upon us. As we undergo illness, distress, loss, and heartache in our own lives, and in the lives of those we love, we cry out to the Lord.
Therefore, we have hope as we read this passage, because God always sends comfort and reassurance when we cry out to Him. Daniel’s vision of what will happen to his people in the latter days is devastating. The truth of the conflict in the vision causes him to lose his appetite and mourn for three weeks.
When we receive devastating news or undergo a health crisis, we too can be in the same distress. Weak and wondering, Daniel sees the messenger of God coming to reassure him in his time of need. Terrified, he falls to his knees. He displays an example of where our posture before the Lord will be when we face Him in our darkest hour.
Moreover, emotional pain and heartache from physical loss can take our breath away and remove our words. However, when we come trembling before God with the devastation of it, He sees our misery. The doubt, fear, and debility are laid before Him. Unseen, our spirit cries out. Exhausted and exposed to our own vulnerability, we fully submit our warring emotions to Him.
As a result, we slowly feel a warmth in the pit of our soul spread like a soothing balm to calm our tumultuous emotions. God hears our cries and sees our surrender to Him. Jesus picks up the pieces laid before Him and methodically puts them in order as the Comforter envelopes us with new courage.
Day 2
Scriptures: Daniel 10:12, John 14:18-21, Psalms 119:103
When we cry out to God, Jesus touches our brokenness and places us upright in His love. We can then turn to the powerful message of God to reassure us further. In His Word, we hear his voice and understand His intentions. Please be encouraged today by what the angel of the Lord shares with Daniel:
Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words” (Daniel 10:12).
We are not alone.
Our prayers are heard and acted upon as the hand of the Lord reaches out to our inmost being to give us strength. Sometimes it is an illness or loss that brings us to that place of humility. A place that opens our mind to our own vulnerability and mortality. A battle ensues as we begin to fear loss—the possible loss of health, income, or way of life.
We don’t have to be afraid, the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Protector is present during the battle with us. The temporary things are stripped away to expose the eternal things of true value. Empathy of friends, care of loved ones, as well as the consuming spiritual support of God’s promise of eternity with Him are revealed.
We are loved! Just as Jesus reassures his disciples, he will not leave them as orphans, He comes to us too. He lives in us, and because our hearts are devoted to him, his commands are a joy to follow. There is freedom for our souls when we see His way and His Word as sweeter than honey.
Day 3
Scriptures: Daniel 10:11, Daniel 10:19, Ephesians 6:12, Romans 5:5, Colossians 2:2
Daniel’s situation is a physical manifestation of what happens to us spiritually in our walk with the Lord—a picture of what is happening in the spiritual realm that we cannot see, although we feel in our hearts and know in our minds. It’s as real as the anger, discontent, and selfish greed of the world around us.
Although, the angel was detained in a spiritual battle, he reassures Daniel his words are heard.
Paul tells us in Ephesians our battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).
It is reassuring to know that we are not alone in our battle against the darkness. There are messengers of God battling with us and for us. We battle through our dark and lonely places by knowing and reading God’s inspired word. Meeting God on the pages of scripture is where we hear and feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Let the repeated phrase of “greatly loved” combined with strengthened in this chapter sink in a few minutes.
Yes, the angel is talking to Daniel to reassure him, but God’s word assures us of the same promise. God’s love has been poured into us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). May our hearts be encouraged! We are knit together in love to reach all the richness of full assurance, understanding, and knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ Jesus (2 Col 2:2).
No amount of preparation can prepare us for a devastating diagnose, except this!
Courage is facing our fear in the oncoming battle and moving forward anyway. That invisible hand reaching out to hold us upright is the hand of our Lord. I pray He touches you today through the power of His word and renews your courage to face the days ahead with poise and resilience.
May God continue to hold you and keep you as He faces every crisis with you.