September 10, 2025 -Humility and Sacrifice

DANIEL 10:1-12:13

EZRA 4:24-5:1

HAGGAI 1:1-15

Chronological Bible Readings

Daniel 10:2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

I can't find in scripture why Daniel was mourning for 3 weeks but speculations are that it could be he was mourning the lack of concern to return to Jerusalem by many of the Jews. Or it could be that he was mourning the struggle and difficulty related to rebuilding the temple. And the moral decline of the people would be something worth mourning over as well as a number of other things. But whatever the reason he was in mourning for 3 weeks. Depriving himself of things that would be considered a physical comfort or pleasure. I find it interesting that this revelation came to him after a time like this. A time that he was feeling week and vulnerable due to a long fasting of sorts. I am reading about how to select elders and the early church regularly practiced fasting and prayer when they were seeking to hear from God. Fasting can make a person feel the same way as Daniel felt. The hunger of a fast can help to drive the person to focus more on God and spend more time praying but a long fast can make you feel weak. That intense focus can help us to better hear God's voice. It makes sense that it was after this time of mourning that Danield would hear from God. But he was so overwhelmed with it and weak feeling, that it drove him to his knees. But he was not left there. When he cried out Jesus came in that vision and strengthened him.

Daniel 10:18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. ¹⁹ “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

When we seek God's face and we spend time depriving ourselves of creature comforts and prioritize time with Him, Jesus will strengthen us to endure until we do hear from Him.

Daniel 10:12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Daniel was a man who humbled himself before God consistently and God heard him and responded to him. We should do the same when praying and seeking to hear from God. Humility and sacrifice are keys to being heard and hearing from the Lord.