Daniel 10:16-19
16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
In these verses, Daniel expresses his fear and how disturbed he is by the visions that God gave him.
Seeing the judgment to come was sorrowful for him.
When we think of Revelation and judgment day, we may also be sorrowful for all the lost souls.
We may fear the things we read, because they sound horrific and because they can be difficult to understand.
But see how the Lord spoke to Daniel (whether by an angel of the Lord, or He Himself) in verse 19.
He calls Daniel greatly beloved.
The word used here has two meanings.
First to desire or covet for yourself.
This means that God desires Daniel as His child, Daniel is God's.
It also means to take pleasure in.
God takes pleasure in Daniel.
So, you may see highly esteemed in some translations and greatly loved in others.
Both are true.
As God looked at Daniel, His child, He also looks at us.
We are precious and desired as His children.
The Lord esteems us as precious and valuable to Him.
This is why He went to the cross for us.
Next see that He tells Daniel, "Fear not!"
The Lord does not want us to fear.
When you read the Bible, you will see many times Jesus and God and angels tell people to not be afraid.
Why?
Because God is here for our betterment.
He always intends good to us.
So do not be afraid of these visions.
Do not fear what the Lord is telling us.
Learn from it, use it to our good.
Do not be afraid.
Then He tells Daniel, "Peace be to you."
This "Peace" is that Hebrew word shalom.
This is a blessing for peace and welfare, for completeness and soundness.
It applies to physical, mental and spiritual health and welfare.
This is what the Lord also wants for us.
Completeness, wholeness, oneness with God.
Finally, He tells Daniel, "Be strong, yes, be strong!"
This word means to be strengthened, to grow strong and firm.
Be strong, stand firm, be strengthened and withstand the force against you.
The Lord repeats this for emphasis, to encourage Daniel and us.
In this case, for Daniel, it was sorrow and fear of these visions.
And we can also apply these statements from God to us.
We see disturbing things in the world which are upsetting and cause sorrow and fear.
So, when things seem overwhelming, the future looks bleak and grim.
You watch people you care about going the wrong way and you are sorrowful for their souls.
Maybe you are fearful of the days and persecution to come.
Remember what God has told Daniel and He is saying this even today, to us.
“O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
God wants you to know He loves you and wants you to stay with Him, as His child.
He wants you to know He is with you, and you do not need to fear.
The Lord blesses us with peace and wholeness and fulfillment in our lives.
So be strong, yes, be very strong in the Lord.
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