With all the problems in our world, we need to be resolute to seek God to move in our world.
Daniel 10:12 says, “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.”
This is such a powerful passage of Scripture. He says to Daniel that from the very moment he began to pray, God began to move. As Daniel continued to pray, God moved in response to his words and then showed up on his behalf. Daniel kept praying until he heard from the Lord. Daniel set his mind. He was resolute to seek God to move on his behalf. We need this same resolve today, not only to pray, but to keep on praying until we hear from God.
Let’s look closely at a few parts of this Scripture that will encourage us in our resolve today:
1. “Do not be afraid”
Oh, how we need to hear these words today!
Maybe you need to be reminded that “Do not be afraid” is in the Bible 365 times. Once for every day of the year. It’s as if God is saying to us, Every day I am with you. Every day, you don’t need to be afraid. You can trust in me.
We don’t need to be afraid, not because we never face trouble or hardship or challenges, but because of who our God is. He can handle what we cannot. He is always with us.
You don’t need to be afraid today, and you can trust that good things are always coming your way by God’s grace. (Read Ps. 23:6; Rom. 8:28; Jer. 29:11)
2. “Since the first day”
Our prayers do not fall to the ground. They do not fall on deaf ears. They go before our Father in heaven, the Creator of all things that exist, and they are as powerful before him as a small child asking something of their loving, doting parent.
Our prayers go on through the years and accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine.
“Since the first day” means that from the moment Daniel began to pray, God began to move. I have this firm conviction we need to keep on praying until we know if God has answered us. Sometimes God answers our prayers immediately, and sometimes things must be prayed about over a period of months or even years. Never lose faith that God will move on your behalf.
God answers our prayers in light of His goodness and love over us. God answers our prayers in three ways: “yes,” “soon, keep on praying” or “I have something better for you.”
3. “Set your mind”
Daniel set his mind to seek God to move on his behalf. He was resolute. He knew He needed God’s help and intervention.
We need to be resolute in seeking God to move in our world. We need to set our minds on what God wants to do in our lives, our families, and our world, and keep on praying until we know we have answers from heaven.
4. “To gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God”
This is the posture we should have as we pray:
“Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Give us wisdom on how to pray. Give us wisdom for our situations, our lives, our purpose. We humble ourselves before you and we confess our dependence and desperation for you! We need you so bad in our lives and our world!”
5. “Your words were heard”
What hope this Scripture has for us. I don’t know about you, but nothing calms and feeds my soul like the Word of God.
When you pray. When you set your mind. When you are resolute in seeking God to move in our world, your words are heard before the God of heaven.
God will show himself strong on your behalf. His arm is not too short to save. He still shows up in our world when we call on his name—on the name of Jesus. God still moves when we set our minds to pray and seek his help.