Thought from today’s Bible reading from Daniel 10-12.
Daniel received a vision regarding what would happen “in the latter days” (Daniel 10:14). The text indicated that “he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision” (Daniel 10:1). How could he have such an understanding of this revelation? Notice what the messenger told him:
“Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words’” (Daniel 10:12).
From the first day Daniel set his heart, he was heard; and the revelation was sent to him. It is important to notice what he set his heart to do, because these things are necessary if we wish to understand the will of God today.
- He desired to understand the revelation – Jesus took this a step further and stated it this way: “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). If one has a sincere desire to know and do the will of God, he will know and see the truth.
- He humbled himself before God – James wrote, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Humility, which allows one to recognize that he does not have all the answers himself, is necessary for one to understand the revealed will of God.
Paul told the brethren in Ephesus: “when you read you can understand” (Ephesians 3:4). Many do not believe we can understand the Bible, yet Paul said that we can. But we must have the attitude of Daniel: desire to understand the message and receive it with humility.
Tomorrow’s reading: Ezra 1-3
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
