Bible Chapter: Daniel 9 & 10

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Daniel had an important insight.  He recognized that the problems the nation was facing resulted from their sinful lifestyles.  He prayed and confessed that God is great and awesome.  He fulfilled His covenant. But, the problem was that they had sinned and done wrong, rebelling against the Lord as they scorned His commands.  Because they refused to listen, the Lord was right to judge them.  The nation was scattered because of their disloyalty to God.  Daniel said that all Israel disobeyed God’s instruction, refusing to listen to His voice.  God fulfilled His part of the Law of Moses.  So the curses and judgments written in the law were poured down on them because of their sin.  God did exactly as He warned. In spite of all of this, the people refused to seek mercy from the Lord by turning from sin and recognizing the truth.  So, disaster came.
A fascinating and important spiritual truth is shown here.  Daniel was praying and it seemed that the answer was being delayed.  An angelic being came to Daniel and said that the Prince of the Persian kingdom resisted him.  There was an intense battle was raging in the spiritual realm. The Prince of the Persian kingdom fought to prevent Daniel from receiving God’s answer.  This Persian prince was a demonic being from Satan’s kingdom.  This required heavenly reinforcements.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The spiritual battle shown in chapter ten gives a glimpse of the unseen spiritual battles that go on.  These battles affect the direction of nations and individual lives, they are real.  Because God is greater, His people can be victorious over spiritual forces by obeying the Bible and through their prayer life.  The enemy always seeks to hinder our prayers.  So, we must always persevere in prayer.  Never give up due to the circumstances or opposition we face.  Trust God.
There really is a spiritual battle going on for nations and individuals.  There are demonic forces who work to oppose all that God is doing.  They promote evil.  All believers in Jesus must remember that the power of God is greater than the forces of evil, and God will always prevail through his faithful and prayerful people.

3.  How can I help someone?
Remember that the battle is real.  Remember that God never changes.  Don’t just start out in your spiritual journey, stick with it and finish strong.