In the First Year of Darius the Mede - Daniel 11:1

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto you, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me. Then said he, Know you wherefore I come unto you? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will show you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holds with me in these things, but Michael your prince”, and in chapter eleven and verse one of his book Daniel shared what happened, “in the first year of Darius the Mede” where we read,

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

The verse reads, “Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, …” Daniel began with the words, “also I in the first year” or “even so and indeed I, Gabriel, within the initial division of annual sunrises to sunset” “of Darius the Mede” which means “belonging to Darius whose name means lord and was known as Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar; probably the same as "Astyages" the last king of the Medes (538 BC)”. Daniel referred to the initial annual set of days pertaining to the rule and reign of “Darius” who was the ruler from Media. 

The verse continues, “… even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.” Daniel added the words, “even I” or “indeed and also I, Gabriel”, “stood to confirm” which means “rose up, remained and was in a standing position to encourage, make firm, resolute and courageous” “and to strengthen him” or “and to protect, give refuge and a stronghold to him, Darius”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that he remained within a standing position to encourage and give refuge to “Darius the Mede”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how “Gabriel” was dispatched during the initial “year” of the reign of “Darius” to encourage and protect him. Rulers and leaders in the world often forget or ignore the fact that God put them in office and will encourage them in their work as well as protect them from harmful foes especially when they yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of the world. God raised Jesus from the dead after three days, and 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will encourage us and give us protection in keeping with His Divine purpose and will.

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel told him, “there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia”, 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".