10/16

Daniel 10:13

¹³The 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,

Daniel fasted for three weeks from all but the very necessities of life while he mourned over a word from God. As he stood beside the Tigris River, an angel appeared before him. No one else could see the angel, but they sensed his powerful presence and ran away. Daniel was overwhelmed and fell on his face. He had to be strengthened by the angel so that he could stand and receive the message from God.

The angel explained that he had been dispatched the moment Daniel began his fast, but another spiritual being, the Prince of Persia, resisted him for three weeks. The archangel Michael came to assist so that he could finally get through to Daniel. His message was about the future of Israel that would take place in the later days. After he relayed the message, he would go back to fight the Prince of Persia and then the Prince of Greece would come.

This is one of the few Biblical accounts of the spiritual forces that are fighting in the heavenlies. The fallen angels resist God's angels. This particular angel referred to the beings as princes of nations. There appears to be powerful demonic beings who push nations to conquer and destroy. No wonder the history of the world is a history of war.

We can also learn from this passage that there are times when we must persevere in prayer. The answer is on its way, but there are powers that resist it. God has allowed all these who oppose Him for His own purposes. When the eternal kingdom is established, we will know that there is no power, human, or angel, who can resist God. We will be amazed to understand how God worked in spite of all opposition for our good and His glory.

Remember: Regardless of the powers that rage around us, both physical and spiritual, God is on the throne of heaven. He is all-powerful and all-knowing.