May 18

 

 ‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’  Daniel 10:12-14  (MSG)

 

Waylaid: to lie in wait for or attack from ambush.

Have you ever been waylaid by the enemy?  I know I have – lots of times!  Most of the time, we’re waylaid when we’re sending up prayers – asking for answers, or even just trying to do what’s right in the eyes of God. 

Daniel was praying intently for answers, and for deliverance for him and his people.  He fasted and prayed for 21 days and I’m sure, it wasn’t easy.  His prayer just didn’t seem to get answered – it wasn’t because he wasn’t righteous, or a good man – it was because satan tried to stop the answer from coming.

God sent an angel the very first day Daniel prayed – the very first moment he uttered the words but, another angel intercepted that answer, an evil angel (demon).  We know that the ‘prince of the kingdom of Persia’ was a demon from the following:

1.  He must have been an angel since no human prince could have withstood Gabriel.  Moreover, Israel’s “prince” was the angel Michael (10:21), and it is reasonable to suppose that in the same context the “prince” of Persia was also an evil angel.

2.  Since this prince opposed God’s angel, he may safely be assumed to have been an evil angel, that is, a demon. 

3.   He is called the “prince of the Persian kingdom,” so Persia must have been his special area of activity.  Therefore this demon was either a powerful angel assigned to Persia by Satan or possibly he was Satan himself.  Persia ruled the world in that day, and Satan would surely have concentrated his personal efforts in this most influential area.  If the demon was Satan, it would explain why Michael, one of God’s most powerful angels, was needed to fight against him.   (sources: New American Commentary)

So, the evil angel, aka. demon, came to stop Daniel’s answer.  There was fighting and the demon tried to hinder the answer from being brought forth.  Imagine that for a moment…there is warring in the heavens on YOUR behalf! 

While this conflict was taking place, Daniel went through agony here on earth.  Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and wicked spirits in high places.  Satan managed to delay the answer for a full 3 weeks and still Daniel did not succumb to the delay. 

We ahve an enemy.  He will do everything he can to make sure we feel defeated but we can’t relent!  We have angels warring on our behalf! 

I know there are times when we are praying and praying for answers and they just don’t seem to manifest.  But, you cannot despair.  As those prayers pile up so should your faith.  Then when the answers do come, and they will, they will burst forth like a flood.  And, not only will they sweep the answers through, they will sweep through new blessings.

The answers are coming…I promise!

Blessings to all,