A Man Set Apart: Daniel 10 (Daily Devo)
Over these last few weeks our family has been hit or miss with our family devotional time.
I know, I know, I feel like I'm disappointing you all...
But I always want us to be real with each other, and I definitely don’t want to come off like my family has it all together, and that we never miss a Devo. We do.
But the days that we have sat down and opened up Daniel have been really good.
It’s not been an easy book to read, but I know that God honors our work, as we trust that his Spirit works in our efforts.
This last week, after talking about the visions that Daniel had, Nathan (our six year old) commented about how he really wished that God would give him a vision like Daniel’s. It was good conversation and we'll see if God gifts him with a vision...
Have I ever had a Daniel-like vision? No.
But it doesn’t mean I won’t. I've heard many stories of very spiritual dreams that could only be explained as a gift from God. But we’ll see this week that Daniel has another vision. And in his vision he is sent to the ground in fear and trembling.
Twice he is told that he is “greatly loved.” That really caught my attention. In this dreadful, scared moment that Daniel has, he is told, twice, “Daniel, you are greatly loved.”
Just think about the fact that Daniel did not know that Jesus would be the one to fully show his love for him by dying on the cross for his sins.
We know Jesus’ love more fully now than Daniel. That’s amazing. So many mysterious spiritual realities happening all around us (many times we don’t even know about) and yet God’s very real, tangible gift to us this week (and every week) is that he loves us. He loves you. He loves me.
We are at a time in our family devo life where the song we end up singing together at the end of 99% of our family worship times is “Jesus loves me.” So simple, but so profound. Even though it may already be, I'm hoping that song never becomes cheesy and overplayed.
Let your kids know this week that they are greatly loved, not just because you love them greatly, but that God loves them greatly.
Josh Walker (@joshdwalker) is the co-founder and owner of One Fifty Media House, a Houston, TX based Audio and Video Design Team. He is the writer and author of music products such as Family Devo, Grammar Time and Hymns For Selena. He is married to Angela and has two beautiful children: Nathan and Charity Joy.
Day 1: Daniel 10:1-9
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[1] In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. [2] In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. [3] I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. [4] On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) [5] I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. [6] His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. [7] And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. [8] So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. [9] Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. - Daniel 10:1-9 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Despite Daniel’s long history of incredible things happening to him, how does Daniel respond to this vision?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Great and mighty are you Lord. You deserve respectful fear. You are like none other and your heavenly kingdom is truly beyond our full understanding.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: Daniel 10:10-12
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[10] And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. [11] And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. [12] Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. - Daniel 10:10-12 ESV
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What does it mean that Daniel, “humbled himself before God?”
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father God, take away all pride that would take us away from your presence. You oppose the proud. Make us more humble through prayer and the reading and understanding of your Word.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: Daniel 10:13-14
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[13] The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, [14] and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” - Daniel 10: 13-14 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What is the angel’s purpose in coming to Daniel?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father God, you will one day come back for your people. Please bring your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We await that day with eagerness.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: Daniel 10:15-17
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[15] When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. [16] And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. [17] How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” - Daniel 10:15-17 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Is it important that Daniel is so aware of his weakness and frailty?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Who can stand before you God. Compared to you, we are infinitely weak and fragile. Thank you that you love us and in our weaknesses your strength can shine.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: Daniel 10:18-21
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
- A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[18] Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. [19] And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” [20] Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. [21] But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. - Daniel 10:18-21 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: This is the second time Daniel is told that he is “greatly loved.” Is that significant?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father, we do not know how these events will play out, and we often are not aware of the spiritual battles happening around us, but you are victorious in it all.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
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