In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel, “said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you, and stand upright: for unto you am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words”, and in chapter ten and verse thirteen of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days”, where we read,
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days:
but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
The verse reads, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days:” Daniel began with the words, “but the prince” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the ruler, leader, chief, chieftain and official”, “of the kingdom of Persia” which means “pertaining to the royal reign and rule belonging to Persia whose name means pure or splendid and referred to the empire Persia; encompassed the territory from India on the east to Egypt and Thrace on the west, and included, besides portions of Europe and Africa, the whole of western Asia between the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian and the Jaxartes on the north, the Arabian desert, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south” “withstood me” or “endured and took a stand against me, Gabriel, ” “one and twenty days” which means “twenty-one sunsets to sunsets”. Daniel said Gabriel told him his prayer was “heard” right away, however, the spiritual ruler over the region of “Persia” took a stand against him for twenty-one days.
The verse goes on to say, “but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel continued with the words, “but, lo, Michael” or “however, look, behold and consider Michael whose name means who is like God”, “one of the chief princes” which means “a particular one of the primary and foremost rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials”, “came to help me” or “entered for the purposes of succoring, supporting and assisting me, Daniel”; “and I remained there” which means “and I, Daniel, continued and stayed in that location” “with the kings of Persia” or “alongside and accompanying the royal rulers and leaders belonging to Persia whose name means pure or splendid”. Daniel shared how “Michael the Archangel” who is one of the foremost rulers came to him to give Gabriel assistance, and it allowed Gabriel to remain in “Persia”. (See Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7)
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Gabriel wanted to come earlier to assist him, however, he was in a battle with the spiritual ruler over “Persia” until such time that “Michael the Archangel” came to help him fight. Because of this spiritual battle, Gabriel was delayed. Paul the apostle wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (See Ephesians 6:12), and many times because we cannot see them, like Daniel, there is a spiritual battle going on over the issues we experience. God wants us to know He is in control of all these spiritual entities, and we have no need to worry when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to assure us that when it appears our prayers are not being answered, there may be a spiritual battle engaging outside of our sight and knowledge.
Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days”, 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".
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