“Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me and talked with me and said, ‘O, Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth and I am come to show you— for you are greatly beloved. . .”
Daniel 9:21-23a
He’s much readier to hear than we are to pray.
So often we view God as playing hard-to-get with us. . .demanding that we come His way or it’s the highway. . .refusing to listen to us if we’re not praying aright or not in the right frame- of-mind, etc.
But, today’s Manna shows how eager He is to hear and answer us.
Most Bible students don’t realize the angel, Gabriel, an archangel of God and the “Good News Messenger” (Lk. 1:19, 26-38; Mt. 1:18-25)—whom many believe to be the angel who’ll blow the trumpet at Christ’s Return—also appeared to Daniel while in Babylonian captivity. Why, then, should we not think the Heavenly Father might not also send him to make a surprise visit once again to this earth in our generation?
Even so, his words to Daniel are wonderful words, for they tell us of how much He longs to hear us pray. . .let us know He’s listening. . .and tell us what He’s longing to do in our lives.
In Daniel’s case, it was a message designed to let him know he would be used by the Lord even while in forced slavery. Captured at age 16 in 605 B.C. by King Nebuchadnezzar and sent to Babylon, the young lad’s mission and message were why they were suffering and what would be coming down the road (both then and now).
Yet, Daniel’s realization of why they were there and how they’d sinned against the One Who loved them so caused him to tremble, lose strength, mourn, fast, weep, etc. (Dan. 10:2-3, 8-9, 11, 15-17). . .which should also be our response today when we realize how far we’ve strayed from Almighty God.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Father dispatched Gabriel to go speak to Daniel as soon as he opened his mouth in prayer (“At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth”)? A little later on he was further informed “from the first day you did set your heart to understand and chasten himself before his God his words were heard and he (Gabriel) had been sent with God’s message” (Dan. 10:12). Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, if we as loving, but sinful, earthly parents are easily awakened in the night by our child’s slightest whimper, will not our Heavenly Father also hear us when we cry out to Him (Mt. 7:11)? And, didn’t He promise that one of these gifts would be the Holy Spirit Himself (Lk. 11:13; Jn. 14:16-18, 26)? Glory!!
Why not pause even now and give thanks for this wonderful Reminder of how much the Heavenly Father loves us and longs for us to be “more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37). And remember: Prayer is the highest form of worship and the means by which we touch God’s heart; so, spend much time today adoring Him and interceding for others.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated February 24, 2010
