When You Wonder if He Hears You

It’s a striking image.

 A stately government official in his mid-eighties, perhaps with distinguished silvery hair, standing on the banks of a large river, dressed in flowing Middle Eastern robes.

His colleagues and lower-ranking staff have suddenly fled and hid themselves in the long grasses, terrorized by a presence they can’t see or explain. An angel that only he can see speaks with him.

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

There had been a delay – a wild, unimaginable delay that needs a separate blog-post on another day just to ponder it—but a delay, nonetheless. In Daniel’s timeline, he waited three weeks for a response and for peace. He was worried, anxious, and spent extended time in prayer.

Then, beside a rushing water, that answer came. “Don’t be afraid, since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard…”

Wow. Where are you in life right now?

Is this a rushing water kind of day where God is speaking to you loudly, even if no one around is hearing him? They may still be noticing that something is different around you, though.

Or are you in a quiet anguish-filled silence of waiting and listening, wondering what God is going to say next? He hears you, friend. No matter what the delays feel like, he hears you and is working on your behalf.

Meanwhile, back at the river bank, our stately gentleman is amazed and terror-stricken at this uncommon method of hearing God speak too. The angel strengthens him by a touch on the shoulder, lifting him up, gently encouraging him to talk and ask questions, and the words, “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed. Peace! Be strong now, be strong.”

Daily, I want to set my mind to gain understanding and to be humbled before my God.

Daily, I want to remember the huge grandeur of my God who sends the angels to do his bidding, who orchestrates world leaders and history, and who whispers, “Don’t be afraid....Your words were heard... Peace, be strong now, be strong.”

“Your words were heard. Peace…” 

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