February 16, 2016 – Daniel 9:22-23

He (Gabriel) explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was,  for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision. Daniel 9:22-23Daniel was with others and suddenly saw a vision like a dream.  No one else could see it but they became scared  and ran away.  Daniel said his strength left him and he felt weak.  When the vision spoke, Daniel fainted and fell with face to the ground.Verse 4, 5, 6 says…I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,  I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.  It was Gabriel Would it be scary for you?  Especially it would be more scary when a hand comes out and lifts you to your hands and knees.  Who is this creature?  It isn’t a movie, it isn’t a bad dream, but an angel.  Not an angel who looks like a child with cute wings.  But a messenger between God and Men on earth.As Daniel prayed, God heard and sent Gabriel with a message, You are precious! And then the angel said…listen!  What does listen mean…it means hearing what someones message, and not just your own.  When we listen to God’s voice through His Word, we hear our Lord who has plans for us.  Listen…Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. Daniel 9:7-10