“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.” (Daniel 10:19)
The power and importance of words are displayed in the song, “Home on the Range.” Kansas is depicted to be a great state because in Kansas, “seldom is heard a discouraging word.” Dr. Brewster Higley, writing those lyrics, reminds us that our hearts are affected by words, as much as by deeds.
Michael (the Archangel) gives Daniel many reasons to stop being afraid. Daniel was faced with such an array of enemies that fear had overwhelmed him. The visions of the future that God had sent Daniel were giving him even more reasons to be afraid. And as Daniel prays, he becomes like a bowl of quivering jelly. Because of his fear, Daniel was physically weak, emotionally discouraged, and spiritually empty.
Michael particularly heartens Daniel with a reminder that Daniel is loved (probably quoting the Psalms,) a suggestion that Daniel choose to be at peace (probably quoting the Torah’s worship instructions,) and to be strong and courageous (clearly quoting the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua!) But note that Daniel does not record the effectiveness of those three things.
He does not say, “I am loved, so I will not be afraid.” Although he could have. It is encouraging to be loved.
He does not say, “I choose peace, so I will not be afraid.” Although he could have. It is encouraging to have peace.
He does not say, “I will be strong and courageous, so I will not be afraid.” Although he could have. It is encouraging to be strong and courageous.
He instead asks Michael for more words. Because Michael’s words abolished Daniel’s fear.
Today, we tend to discredit words. We desire words to be proven before we accept them. Even when reading God’s Word, we want to see God’s Word proven true, rather than rest in God’s Word. Don’t our hearts quicken when archaeologists find evidence of the ark, or the Red Sea Crossing, or Jesus’ empty tomb?
But Daniel found courage, strength, and hope in Michael’s words.
Even though Daniel was visited by God’s messenger who was detouring from Spiritual battles out and about in the world, I believe that Daniel would have traded that message for what we have. Daniel only had available what we call the Old Testament up through the prophets. Basically, Genesis through Ecclesiastes. And supplemented by Michael’s words, Daniel was encouraged, even though he had fewer words to hear than we do.
Because we have more. Not only do we have Michael’s words, recorded by Daniel for us, we have the rest of the prophets. We have the book of Esther. We have the precious New Testament. All of which would have made Daniel giddy.
I think he would look at us today and ask, “WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?? Look how many WORDS you have!”
And he would be right.
Fear not, because of God’s words.