10/1/25

Daniel 10:12 NASB95 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

A few mornings ago, I was struggling with my prayer time. I had just finished my prayer that morning, and I didn't feel as if I had spent any time with the Lord. I knew that I had rushed through my prayer that morning and it had been nothing more than a ritual. I began to talk to the Lord again, only I wasn't seeking time with Him, I was seeking a scripture, and here is what He gave me. Colossians 4:2 NASB95 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

I then went back and started my time in prayer again. However, this time I took it seriously. I was devoted to our time together. I paid attention and listened and I was thankful that He wanted to spend time with me. It made all kinds of difference.

Our spiritual posture of prayer is vitally important when we come to God. When I was devoted, alert, and thankful in my Spirit, the time I had with the Lord was powerful and indispensable. When I was going through the motions then the time was almost wasted.

Daniel, had a similar experience. He spent time with the Lord, which was essential. We need this as well and this scripture tells us how we can have a clear and concise time with God. 1st, we are told we must set our hearts on understanding. Scripture says Seek and you will find. When we go to God we need to have a strong desire to hear and understand His words to us. If we go only to speak to Him, then we are saying our desires and our words are more important than God's. We show we don't want to understand His perfect vision, His perfect desire, or His perfect unconditional love. We often struggle because of this. Because we don't seek to understand God's perfect will. However, the text says, "from the first day that you set your heart on understanding," it is saying that when we seek to understand, then our prayer life changes. Our time with God almost immediately becomes, intimate time with God! It is no longer time in the vicinity of God but time next to Him. It says from the first day, meaning it started at that moment of seeking understanding.

Then our text say, "and on humbling yourself before your God." It is saying, not only when you started to set your heart to understanding, but also when you set your heart on humbling yourself. These two things go hand and hand. When your focus goes to God it is removed from you. When we no longer focus on ourselves, we start to be humble.

There is great benefit when we go to the Lord with a heart set on understanding and on humility. The reason for this is as the text says, "your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words." It is saying that when we come in this posture of truly seeking with our heart to understand and in truthful, heartfelt humility, then God hears and responds.

Do you want a response from God? Then come to Him in the right way. Seek understanding and humility. Then watch him immediately begin to respond. It might take 21 days or more to reach you but it starts immediately.

Love Bro. Scott