Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
Dan 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel;
Dan 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
Often, we pray to Our Heavenly Father only to find that it appears our prayers have not been answered. Time delays can be painful to our flesh but patience must have its perfect work. Our minds would have us believe that those prayers fell by the wayside and would dash our hope against the rocks. Daniel provides us a great lesson on timing. Daniel was 89 years old at this time and he surely had gained much wisdom and understanding about spiritual things.
Daniel had been given a “word” or message from Our Heavenly Father. This word needed greater understanding than Daniel had and so he prayed and fasted for 21 days. Three full weeks passed and finally an angel appeared. How many of us would pray and fast for three weeks? These days, twenty-one days seems like an eternity to most. The angel of THE LORD provides us some insight to what happened during those twenty-one days:
Dan 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.
Dan 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Dan 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Dan 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.
The angel explains to us that Daniel’s prayers were heard immediately and Our Heavenly Father dispatched an angel to respond. Angels are created for specific purposes and are empowered and given authority to complete their tasks. We also know that they are involved in spiritual warfare and must deal with legal issues that arise. They will not carry out lawless acts and must abide by any legal “injunctions” brought forth by the adversary. The Heavenly Court System is accessible by your adversary as well as yourself. (Read the Book of Job).
The angel was dispatch to explain the “word” to Daniel and established Daniel’s reputation in the Heavenly realm by calling him “Greatly Beloved”. What a blessing to be known in Heaven as “Greatly Beloved”!
The time continuum that we live in requires faith and patience. Anointing comes at a specific time to bring forth power, authority, understanding, wisdom, knowledge, and skill. Whether it be 21 days for Daniel or 21 years for Jacob, we must keep our focus on Our Heavenly Father and HIS perfect plan, will, and purpose for our lives.