At the Beginning of Your Supplications - Daniel 9:23

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “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”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-three of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel told him, “at the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth” where we read,

At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

The verse reads, “At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you;” Daniel began with the words, “at the beginning” or “in the initial time” “of your supplications” which means “pertaining to your, Daniel’s, earnest prayers and entreaty” “the commandment came forth” or “the speech, utterance, order and directive proceeded and went forth”, “and I am come” which means “and I, Gabriel, have showed up and arrived” “to show you” or “to report, declare, announce and expound to you, Daniel”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that in the initial time of his earnest prayers the order proceeded and he arrived to make a declaration to him.

The verse goes on to say, “for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Daniel continued with the words, “for you are greatly beloved” or “because, since and on account that you, Daniel, exist as massively and abundantly desirable, pleasurable and delightful”: “therefore understand the matter” which means “wherefore, then and on this account the business, case and word”, “and consider the vision” or “and contemplate the mental imagery, appearance and sighting”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him he was abundantly loved, and for this reason he was given the knowledge and perception concerning the business at hand as well as the mental imagery. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel was given a directive to go to him at the initiation of his earnest prayers, and Gabriel was to share with Daniel concerning the conditions he observed as well as the mental imagery he saw. God knew Daniel needed help, and Gabriel was assigned to give it to him. God knows we need help as well, and because we have sin in our lives that leads to death, God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross and raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and fill us with His Holy Spirit so we have no need to fear come what may in our lives.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel tells him, “seventy weeks are determined upon your people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".