This almighty God with a gentle touch

Daniel 10 describes how in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation is given to Daniel about a great war, which leaves him greatly distressed.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 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.  Daniel 10:2-3

Then Daniel sees a vision of a man, but not a man like any other man –

a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.  Daniel 10:5-6

No one else who is with Daniel can see the man, but they can sense something weird is going on. They are so afraid they run away and hide. Daniel can’t cope with what he is seeing either. He goes deathly pale, loses all his strength and falls into a deep sleep. A reassuring hand helps him to his feet. A reassuring voice affirms that Daniel is highly esteemed.

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 10:12

This is not a random visit. Daniel has not been picked by God by chance. Daniel has been faithful to his God his whole life. He has served his God in whatever situation he has found himself in. He has been determined to follow his God and let nothing get in his way. He has always recognised his place before God and not let his success and favour before the king go to his head and cloud his judgement.

While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”

Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”  Daniel 10:15-19

I love the feel of this passage.  I love how entirely human this man Daniel is. Faced with this vision, he is rendered speechless. I can relate to that feeling when faced with something so overwhelming that my strength disappears from my body and I can’t speak and I can hardly breathe. And I love the gentle compassion of the man of the vision – how he gently touches Daniel on the lips, how he touches him again and gives him strength, how he speaks words of comfort and peace to Daniel. In the midst of this supernatural glory, there is compassion, there is gentleness, there is love. I find that wonderfully reassuring.

It reminds me of this song I loved as a teenager –

When I feel the touch
Of Your hand upon my life,
It causes me to sing a song
That I love You, Lord.
So from deep within
My spirit singeth unto Thee,
You are my King, You are my God,
And I love You, Lord.

The man reveals truths to Daniel about the Kings of the North and the South – an unfolding tale of power, aggression, betrayal and intrigue. This is all going to pass exactly as it is told. The daughter in verse 17 of chapter 11 is the famous Cleopatra no less!

Which all leads to the question: if God and his messengers know exactly what is gong to happen, then why do they do nothing to stop it? I’ve read a few novels in the last couple of years that delve into this question of changing history if it is in your power to do so – ‘Time after time’ by Ben Elton, ‘The fifty lives of Harry August’ by Claire North and now ‘Life after life’ by Kate Atkinson. I find it intriguing but I don’t have the answers. These books explore some of the difficult issues raised by this whole notion, but of course, that is nothing compared to the whole expanse of human history that God has before Him.

The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time.  Daniel 11:27

Evil kings will rule on the earth but those who know God will stay strong. That is the hope right there.

…the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.  Daniel 11:32-33

And every reign will only be for a season. Nothing will last forever. This is how chapter 11 ends –

Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.  Daniel 11:45

This is how the story will always end. God will have the final victory. This almighty God with a gentle touch.