| Subject: Dan Chap 10 vss 8-11 Post 54 |
Author:
Hillbilly
| [ Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 20:23:54 01/03/11 Mon
Daniel 10:8-11 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Daniel continues with his narrative on the vision of the pre-incarnate Christ. If God would have us learn anything from Daniel's experience I think it would be perspective. I mean by this how insignificant we are and how majestic He is. Note Daniel's own words as to how he rated himself in God's presence. When he saw God in his vision all his strength left him. "There remained no strength in me". Daniel became, as the saying goes, "as weak as water". His self worth he now saw as worthless. The word "comeliness" usually is used to describe outward appearance but I don't think Daniel had ever been impressed by his own looks and stature. He probably did however take a little pride in his inward goodness. After all God had chosen him for a great work and and used him mightily before kings. His self worth must have looked valuable until he met first hand true goodness and comeliness. "My comeliness was turned in me into corruption". His comparison might be seen as a magnificent living being of terrible countenance yet having a beauty beyond description with a totally worthless rotting corpse of a man prostrate before him. Lest this scenario be thought as a little too far out think on John's experience before Jesus on the throne in heaven. " And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" (Revelation 1:17) John was the very same disciple that laid his head over on the bosom of Jesus Christ at the last supper. There was no such familiarity with the risen Saviour when he first saw Him in Heaven. The love and camaraderie was replaced with abject fear.
Think now of how you think of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Chances are you have never really pondered your reaction to your first sight of Him as you stand before Him for the first time. If the Bible is true and is a reliable source of information on such matters then you may rest assured your reaction will be much the same as Daniel's and John's reactions. If Moses feared and quaked before God on the mountain how can you think your reaction will be different. The writer of Psalm 119 said in verse 120: "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments." I assume that writer to be none other than David, a man after God's own heart, (Acts 13:22) and if he feared God then how will we feel in His presence?
Daniel is face down as a dead man with no breath left in him (vs.17) and God reaches down and touches him which raises Daniel up on his palms and knees. Still in a reverent position of prayer and worship. It is only when God commands Daniel to stand in verse 11 that Daniel stands, but notice, he is still trembling! Even after the comforting and uplifting words; "O Daniel, a man greatly beloved"!
Can you imagine God looking on you and saying: "O _____, greatly beloved"? If you are anything like me I could not bring myself to even consider that I was worth such a greeting from my Saviour. I can easily imagine myself feeling the corruption that Daniel felt. I can easily think of myself as being completely unworthy to even bow before Him, but to imagine such gracious words coming from Him to me: never!
Having said all that (and I say it truthfully) I know that my Saviour loved me enough to die for me. My Saviour, the very God of Glory, thought enough of me to come down from heaven, be born of a virgin, live in the flesh for 33 years and then go to a cruel cross for me after suffering much painful and mocking abuse at the hands of the Romans and Jews. My gut instinct tells me that He loves me as much as He loves Daniel. This is hard to accept. Daniel was far more worthy than I will ever be as far as standing true to God is concerned. I am worthy only because Jesus has justified me and made me clean in the inward man. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to grasp but I know it to be true because of God's Word. All I can do is humbly thank Him and then worship and praise Him. That I gladly do.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
] |
|
Feedback: 