Unshakeable – Daniel Week 4

Joke:  4 men are in the hospital waiting room waiting for their babies to be born when the nurse walks in and tells the first man:

“Congratulations you’re having twins.” The man excited says, “That’s crazy what a coincidence I work for the Minnesota twins.”

A little while passes and the nurse tells the second man: “Congratulations you’re having triplets.”

The man responds: “No way that’s crazy, I work for the 3M company.”

After some more time passed another nurse walks in and tells  the third man: “Congratulations You’re having quadruplets.”

The third man responds: “That’s unbelievable I work at the 4 seasons hotel what a coincidence.”

The fourth man starts screaming and banging his head on the wall.

The nurse immediately runs over and asks him: “What’s wrong?”

He responds: “What’s wrong I’ll tell you what’s wrong, this can’t be happening, I work at 7UP”

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Talk about Memorial Day and show video

Is there anyone here today that you’ve been praying for something, asking God for a miracle, believing that God is going to work and He hasn’t answered your prayer yet?

What I want to do today is I want to talk to those of you that are waiting.

May be your a little bit spiritually discouraged.  I want to talk to you today.

If you are trusting God and asking Him to do something, that He hasn’t.  And you’re thinking, “Why hasn’t He?”

Let me just be real honest with you today, I don’t know.   And maybe if your at all like me this is just me, I get it,  I can get a little frustrated with God myself.

And I don’t mean that to be disrespectful.

But sometimes He’s frustrating to me not because I don’t have faith in Him, it’s because I do have faith in Him.

It’s because I’m praying and I’m believing, and I know He can and yet sometimes He doesn’t.

And maybe some of you are there as well.  And let me just add another side note.  What we need to remember is that God sees the big picture and He knows what is best for us.

But I get it.  There’s something on your heart. You’re seeking God and you’re asking Him, would you heal, or would you answer, or would you provide or would you show up, would you (you fill in the blank)?

I believe you can, and He hasn’t. So you keep praying and you keep on waiting.

And let me just say this as well,  a delay is not necessarily a denial.

Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.  Now honestly it may not because God never said He would give us everything we want.   Sometimes we don’t get the answer because we asked out of selfishness, or the wrong motives.

But I also know. . .

1 John 5:14 (ESV) – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Notice what it says. . .if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

And maybe your believing God for a financial miracle.

Or maybe your begging God to work in the lives of one of your children.  Because your children were walking with Jesus and now their not.

And you believe that God can do what we’re asking Him to do.

And everything lines up with the will of God.  And we’ve been believing that He will do what we’re praying for Him to do and He hasn’t.

And so, if you can relate to that, I want to show you a powerful portion of Scripture that I believe will speak directly to your heart and encourage you while you’re waiting.

We’re in the book of Daniel, and today, we’re going to start in Daniel chapter 10.

Just for context, Daniel is older now, maybe mid 80’s to 90 years old.

He’s not getting around as fast as he did.  Having a hard time keeping up with the grandkids maybe.    But he has a vision.

Here’s what the Scripture tells us,

Daniel 10:1 (NLT) – In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia,* Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.

So, he has this vision that concerned events certain to happen in the future but it wasn’t a vision about a prosperous season it had to do with times of war and great hardship.

The text continues verses 2 and 3. . .

Daniel 10:2–3 (NLT) – When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

What seems to be going on here?   Why all the seemingly little details?

Well, if you remember King Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah, that was in 597 BC and he captured the best and the brightest young men and took them out of Judah, out of Jerusalem, and indoctrinated them with the Babylonian culture.

And one of those young men that he captured was Daniel.

And here we are about 70 years later, and the King of Cyrus comes from Persia and conquers Babylon.

Which was sort of good news for the Jewish people because Cyrus the King of Persia was going to tell the Jews they can now return back to their homeland.

They could go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

That’s good news. And Daniel, he’s happy. But he was also really concerned because the people of Israel let a little of Babylon get in them and they continued to sin against God.

And what do you do when you’re concerned?

What Daniel did, as we just looked at it he had no rich food, no meat or wine touched his lips.

In the New Testament we see something similar we’re taught to fast and to pray, and to seek the God of heaven.

So for three weeks, that’s what he’d been doing. He was denying himself certain things and pursuing the heart of God.

He was fasting and praying, and he had a vision of some things that were to come.

Now, what I want you to notice is that Daniel was deeply moved by God. He was close to God. And because of that, he was  spiritually sensitive.

And the truth is church even though God will never leave me or forsake me.  There are times that I feel much closer to him than other times.

But I can tell you that I can almost always tell how close I am to God or not by what moves my heart.

Let me explain it this way, when I’m not pressing into God and making Him the priority and not pursuing Him with all of my heart I find myself sometimes getting upset by little things.  Like the slow driver in front of me.

But when I’m close to God, I find myself bothered by other things, things that really matter.

I’m bothered by people that are hurting.  I’m bothered by division.

When I’m not close to God, the things that should matter don’t bother me as much. I’m more caught up in the stresses of my own life.  My thing rather than His.

So, Daniel’s burdened about the important stuff.

He’s burdened about the people’s posture and relationship with God.

And what does he do about it?

He sought God about it. And for three weeks, he’s fasting, he’s praying, he’s mourning.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) – Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

And we’re going to see him on the bank of the Tigris River.  And while he is there he’s got some other people around him and he has this vision.

He sees it but the people that were with him don’t.

Watch what happens. . .

Daniel 10:5–6 (NLT) – I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

Verse 7. . .

Daniel 10:7-8 (NLT) – Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. 8 So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.

So if you can imagine, he sees this vision and maybe those with him see Daniel acting strange and they run off and he’s the only one left there to see this vision.

He has an encounter with an angelic being. And in verse 7 it tells us, Daniel was the only one who saw the vision.

This is powerful because I believe that’s what’s going to happen to some of you today.

God had something special just For Daniel. It wasn’t meant for the other people.  I don’t know why.  Maybe they would not of understood it,  didn’t have the faith for it, not prepared to receive it.    Whatever the reason God had something for Daniel.

And in the very same way, I believe that God will have something special for some of you today.

And God is going to come to you and you’re going to encounter and experience Him in a special way.

Maybe you might have had something shift already when we were singing during our worship to God, and you sensed God’s presence there with you in a special and unique way.

Maybe it was a Bible verse that you read before service today that just popped out to you like never before and a new revelation transpired.  And your thinking I don’t know about everybody else’s reading of that verse, but that one was for me.

Or it may be something that I wasn’t even planning to say that the Holy Spirit prompts me to say, that just seems to be just for you.

Or it might be when you’re praying, you have a vision of something that gives you hope, or a song comes on the radio and you realize that song was speaking to you.

And for some of you today, I believe God is going to speak to you in a very personal way.

And you’re going to experience His presence or there’s going to be a word from God for you. And as you’re sitting next to someone else who hears the same thing, sees the same thing, they are not going to hear it the same way.

Not because they aren’t listening but because God has a personal timely word just for you.

Maybe a confirmation, a revelation, an aha moment that will bless your life.

And this is what Daniel says, whenever God reveals himself in verse eight, Daniel said this. . .

Daniel 10:8 (NLT) – So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.

He said, my strength left me, my face grew deathly pale and I felt very weak.

So he’s in the presence of this angelic being and the Scripture continues with. . .

Daniel 10:9 (NLT) – Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

How powerful is that. He’s in the presence of this heavenly encounter and he’s face down. He couldn’t even stand. Why?

Because he’s in the presence of God and experiencing the magnificent glory of God in his midst.

And in the presence of this angelic being, his strength leaves him and he falls face down to the ground.

And I wonder if any of you have ever experienced God in this way, where you just were just overwhelmed by him.   His presence was just so apparent that you could barely stand.

I can tell you I have that happen a few times in my life.

One time it was when I was reading the Scripture and it finally clicked that God simply loved me for me.  I had heard it so many times before.  But I knew in that moment it wasn’t just here (point to head) but it had moved to here (point to heart).

I’ve in recent years had more than one revelation as I was reading God’s Word when all of a sudden I read something and it just spoke to me in a fresh way.  I had to ask God how long that was in the book.

I’ve had a few times that I was listening to a song and it just spoke to me.  And I could do nothing but drop to my knees and worship.  I’ve even had to pull over to the side of the road while  driving because the presence of God just filled the car and I was overwhelmed by it all.

And this is Daniel. He’s on his face before God.

And in verse 10, he said this. . .

Daniel 10:10 (NLT) – Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.

And now watch this the next verse is so powerful. . .

Daniel 10:11 (NLT) – And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

I love that, the man reminded Daniel, you are very precious to God.

God is so holy, so good, so kind.  Amen

Daniel’s fasting, he’s praying, he’s burdened, he’s overwhelmed. And he said, “A hand from heaven touched me and lifted me and said, ‘You are so precious to God.'”

Get this church, look what happened, first thing, the hand lifted him.

God is a lifter.  Some of you’re feeling down today.  But I’m here to tell you God is a lifter.

King David while he was running for his life said,

Psalm 3:3 (ESV) – But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

And if you’re down today, His presence will lift you.

Then the voice says, “You are precious to God.”

And for some of you today, you’re going to hear the whisper of the spirit of God that says to you are precious to him.

And He’ll tell you that he loves you, and that He’s for you, and that He’s with you. That He’s never left you, that He knows your pain, He knows your name, and that He hears the cries of your heart.

And then in verse 12,  this is where it gets cool. . .

Daniel 10:12 (NLT) – Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

Three weeks ago you prayed, and now I’m here. . .today, right now.

And this is a word for some of you who’ve been praying for a long time. And I’m talking about those of you who’ve been praying for so long, you almost feel stupid. Like, why bother pray anymore?

Have you ever been there, ’cause I have?

Like, God, I’ve been praying for the salvation of this person for the long time, and I don’t think they’re ever really truly going to come to you.

In the waiting of your situation you say, I’m going to try to keep praying, but I don’t see it. I having a hard time believing it.  I don’t even know if You’re listening to me anymore. I don’t know if things will ever change.

And you keep trying to pray.

And the angelic being says, Since the first day you began to pray, God heard your prayer.

There’s somebody here, you’ve been praying for a long time and I want you to know from the moment you prayed for the very first time the request left your lips, God heard your prayer.

And Daniel, he’s been praying and fasting and he’s hurting and he’s afraid. And for three weeks, he saw nothing. For three weeks, he’s praying and nothing.

Then verse 13 says this,

Daniel 10:13 (NLT) – But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.

For 21 days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.

So Daniel’s praying and nothing’s happening. And this angelic being is coming to help, but there’s this spirit blocking his way.

So God sends reinforcement, because there’s just battle going on.

And there’s a lot in that verse.   But it’s one of the greatest pictures in the Old Testament of the spiritual war that is going on every single day.

The Apostle Paul said it this way. . .

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

In other words, when you are praying, there’s more going on than you see with natural eyes.  So often all we see is the trouble, the situation, or the problem.

But when you’re praying, God hears your prayer in heaven. And God may have already unleashed angelic beings who are doing warfare against the forces of darkness on your behalf.

The spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia was blocking his way

What is the kingdom prince of the spirit of Persia? What is this?

Well, Bible scholars say that this is likely some demonic force or a fallen angel. And the archangel who is the protector of God’s people comes in and says, “Hey, we’re here to take you down.”

Because the power of God is always greater than the power of darkness. And reinforcements are sent in the heavenly battle, and this angelic being is released to reach Daniel.

And this is so powerful. For those of you that have been praying and waiting and seeing nothing, Daniel prayed and saw nothing, but just because he didn’t see anything, didn’t mean that God wasn’t working.

Let me say that again. Just because he didn’t see anything, didn’t mean that God wasn’t working.

And that’s why for someone here, this will be an encouragement that will build your faith. You’ve been praying and you’ve been waiting, you’ve been praying and you’ve been waiting, and you’ve been praying and you haven’t seen anything, and you’ve been praying and you’re still waiting.

Talk about the walls of Jericho

I want to tell somebody here that while you’re waiting, God is still working.

While you wait, in the heavenly realms, because our battle is not against the people driving you crazy, our battle is not against the natural things of this world, your co-workers, but we’re fighting a battle that goes on beyond the visible eye in the spiritual realm.

That’s why, as people of faith, we don’t walk by sight, but we walk by faith.

Paul also said that in our weakness He is made strong.

And let me just be real honest with you today, it seems to me in far too many churches, we’ve become so practical, become more of a motivational speaker and it’s caused many to forget the spiritual side where there’s a very real warfare that’s taking place for the child you’re praying for.  The situation your asking God to step into and help with.

Warfare. Warfare coming against your marriage. And you wonder why he’s so difficult.   Well, it could very well be that there’s forces of darkness doing battle.

But church, when you pray, God hears your prayer. The first time you pray, the first time you call out, heaven hears your prayers.

And so, Daniel, he’s overwhelmed, he’s got no strength. He’s like, he’s on his face. And then this heavenly being lifts him and speaks to him.

Verse 18 tells us this. . .

Daniel 10:18 (NLT) – Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.

Somebody today, you’re going to feel your spiritual strength returning.   You’ve gotten weary in well doing.   But God is about to restore the joy of your salvation, restore what the locusts have eaten.

Maybe lost some faith, but it’s coming back. You’ve lost some strength, but God’s bringing it back.

When you are at your weakest, His strength is made perfect.

My strength was returning Daniel said.

And then watch this. . .

Daniel 10:19 (NLT) – Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

I love that, for a second time he says, “You’re precious to God.”

Someone here, you didn’t hear it the first time, you need to hear it a second time. You are precious to God.

You need to hear it again. You are precious to God. He cares about you. He hears the cries of your heart. You are precious to God. You’re very precious to God.

“Peace, be encouraged, be strong.”

Daniel, he’s physically weak. He’s worried and concerned about the people. They’re sinning against God. He’s got a spiritual burden and God’s doing battles in the heavenly realm.

And God sends a message to him and says, “You’re precious to me. Peace, be encouraged, be strong.”

And for those of you that will listen, not to my words, but listen for the voice of the Spirit of God,  He’ll speak to you today. He’ll speak to you. And He will tell you, you are precious to Him. He cares about you. He’s with you. He’s heard your prayer, He’s working on your behalf. And He’ll tell you, be at peace because there is a peace that passes all understanding.

And when you cast your cares on Him, when you cry out to Him, when you’re not anxious about anything, but everything with prayer and petition, you take your request to God, there is a peace that goes beyond our human ability to understand.

And the spirit of God may tell you, be encouraged, be encouraged, be strong. You’re precious to God.

As I try to close out today, let’s take a step back and review where we’ve been over the last few weeks. How do you live with conviction in a culture of compromise?

Daniel, if you remember he resolved, to be faithful to God, no matter what.

He determined, he made up his mind that he would not compromise his values to blend into the culture, but he would honor God with everything that he did. Why? Because you may live in Babylon, but Babylon doesn’t have to live in you.

He distinguished himself. Remember the word mitnassah.

He excels, he stands out. No matter what we do, we do it for the glory of God.   No matter what the world says, when we show up, faith walks in the room, hope walks in the room, light walks in the room, love walks in the room. We will not be divided. We will not be angry. We’ll not be hateful. We tell the truth. We treat people with integrity. And we’ll always show the love of Jesus.

And we cry out to God.  We believe that He’s faithful. We know He’s faithful. And because we believe He’s faithful, what do we say?

We say this, we say, God, I believe You can. And God, I believe You will. But God, even if You don’t, I still believe.

Let me say that again. God, I believe You can. God, I believe You will. But even if You don’t, I still believe.

And so, today, for those of you that may be spiritually discouraged because you’ve been praying and you’ve been waiting, and you’ve been praying and you’ve been waiting, I get it, because I’ve been there too.

And it’s in times like that that I have to remind myself that God heard the cries of my heart and that my faith actually pleases Him.

And just because I don’t see anything, doesn’t mean He is not doing anything.

And God may speak to some of you today and say, Don’t be afraid.  You are precious to God.

From the first day you prayed, God heard your prayer in heaven, and He’s released angels to war against the forces of darkness on your behalf.

And what I want you to know, I want you to feel, and I want you to believe is that if God is for you, who can be against you?

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

And if you remember one of the key verses, we started this series with, in week one, Daniel 2:28 said this. . .

Daniel 2:28 (NLT) – But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.

But there is a God in heaven.

No matter what you’re going through, no matter what you’re experiencing at  this moment, no matter how much pain you’re enduring, no matter how much doubt you may be feeling, remember, there is a God in heaven.

He hears the cries of your heart.

And while you’re waiting, God is working and He’s working right now because our God is a good God. He is always faithful. Even when we’re faithless.  He’s worthy of our praise, He’s worthy of our trust. He’s worthy of all that we have and all that we are. He is the only one worthy of all of our praise.

So Papa we worship you today.  We thank You for who You are.

And church as we are praying I am well aware how difficult the waiting can be, but I need you to understand that God heard your cry and you may not feel like He’s working but I trust that He is.

But there is a spiritual battle and the enemy wants to keep you discouraged, and distracted  because then you may very well feel distant.

But I’m here to tell you don’t give up and don’t give in.  Your answer is on the way.  And there are heavenly angelic forces fighting on your behalf.