The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Daniel 10:7-8, 15-17,
"I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless...While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, 'I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.'"
I can't help but notice Daniel's great fear and anguish this vision caused him. Daniel was a man who was "highly esteemed" in the court of God, verse 19. He was not unacquainted with visions and dreams the Lord had given him, and conversations with angels. Yet, as in other circumstances, when confronted with a heavenly visit, it caused him this fear, and had caused his companions to flee in an overwhelming terror.
Why this reaction? From the pages of Scripture we learn that this is not at all uncommon. I recall Isaiah's reaction when he was confronted with a vision from heaven, "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'" Isaiah 6:5.
On the mount of transfiguration, upon hearing the voice from heaven, the disciples who attended Jesus had a similar reaction, "When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified." Matthew 17:6.
When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to receive the tablets containing the ten commands, we are told, "When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.'" Exodus 20:18-19.
When a man, any man, has contact with the pristine righteousness and holiness that marks God's presence, his sinful state recoils in an inexpressible fear and terror. We are told God, "alone is immortal and ... lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." 1 Timothy 6:16. I am reminded of what God told Moses, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Exodus 33:20.
"I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless...While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, 'I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.'"
I can't help but notice Daniel's great fear and anguish this vision caused him. Daniel was a man who was "highly esteemed" in the court of God, verse 19. He was not unacquainted with visions and dreams the Lord had given him, and conversations with angels. Yet, as in other circumstances, when confronted with a heavenly visit, it caused him this fear, and had caused his companions to flee in an overwhelming terror.
Why this reaction? From the pages of Scripture we learn that this is not at all uncommon. I recall Isaiah's reaction when he was confronted with a vision from heaven, "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'" Isaiah 6:5.
On the mount of transfiguration, upon hearing the voice from heaven, the disciples who attended Jesus had a similar reaction, "When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified." Matthew 17:6.
When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to receive the tablets containing the ten commands, we are told, "When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.'" Exodus 20:18-19.
When a man, any man, has contact with the pristine righteousness and holiness that marks God's presence, his sinful state recoils in an inexpressible fear and terror. We are told God, "alone is immortal and ... lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." 1 Timothy 6:16. I am reminded of what God told Moses, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Exodus 33:20.
No wonder visits from heaven elicit such terror, fear and trembling!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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