Daniel 10:12-13 (ESV)
[12] Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. [13] The 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,
I don't understand everything I know about this chapter, but clearly behind the screen of the spiritual world there is a battle going on that is somehow about us. In contemporary literature C.S. Lewis, Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti and others have attempted to express this truth in a variety of ways through their fiction. Some are more allegorical; some more fanciful; some better than others, but they are all intended to illustrate in some way the truth that there is more to this world than the physical universe. In Daniel 10 it appears as though each nation or each race has their own angelic or demonic "prince." The being talking to Daniel refers to the "Prince of the kingdom of Persia," the "Prince of Greece," and Michael, whom he calls "your prince." Some of these "princes" were opposed to him and Michael, was on his side. He came immediately in response to Daniel's prayer, but was detained 3 weeks by this battle. This raises all sorts of questions in my mind.
Why didn't God just snap his fingers and give victory? What does this kind of battle look like? How can angels and demons battle for 21 days? Is their time different from ours? Do they need to occasionally take a break? Were they actually fighting for 21 days or were they debating? Can an angel be hurt or killed in a battle like this? I have lots of questions with very few answers. The scriptures are strangely quiet on this matter except for an occasional passage like Daniel 10 where the veil is drawn back slightly. So, what are we supposed to do with this information? I think that there are several appropriate responses. First, we don't stop praying because we haven't yet received an answer. Second, we don't fear. We know that we have superior forces working on our behalf. Third, we take courage even though we know that the battle is not yet over.
Daniel 10:19 (ESV)
[19] And he said, "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."
It is very easy for us to be filled with fear and anxiety when it comes to the area of spiritual warfare. It is also easy to just dismiss it because we don't want to think about it. We then end up living in denial. Daniel is told to take courage even though the battle is not yet over. He is pointed to the 'Book of Truth." The one talking to Daniel says, "But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth." (Daniel 10:21a) What exactly he means by the Book of Truth is not made clear, and we are not made privy to the contents of the book. What is clear is that Daniel was to look to the truth. For us we know that Jesus prayed in John 17, "Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth."
So what do we conclude? First, we acknowledge that we have more questions than answers. Second, we take courage and trust that we are safe in the midst of the battle. Third, we look to the truth of God's word for courage, peace, counsel and assurance. His word is truth, and in him we are safe. We don't have to live in denial of spiritual warfare, nor do we need to become obsessed by it. We acknowledge it, continue to pray, look to God's truth and trust him.
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