Defeat Your Enemy While with Him
The Battle Behind the Battle – Part 1

Scripture  Reading:  Daniel 10:7-14

Key Verse:  Daniel 10:13

But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

In today’s scripture we read a very interesting story of the battle behind the battle.  Daniel had been praying and fasting.  When the angel revealed himself to Daniel, the angel told Daniel that his prayers had been heard and answered on the very first day of his fasting period.  Some commentators suggest that this angel was Gabriel.  As Gabriel was sent to deliver the answer to Daniel, the enemy of our souls stepped in and fought Gabriel.  In fact, the battle got so intense that a second angel was sent to help Gabriel, Michael, the chief prince.  Together, these two angels defeated the devil and his imps.

            I don’t pretend to understand all that went on behind the scenes in response to Daniel’s prayer.  But I do draw some principles from the story that encourages me in my prayers.  First, I see that God answers our prayers immediately.  We often do not know what that answer is for a while.  God is not a cruel or indecisive God; Luke 18:1-8 reminds us of God’s perfect judgment and decisive response to prayers.

            Secondly, I see that the enemy will try to frustrate the prayer process.  There will be delays in some answers that are caused by the devil.  The battle going on in the unseen world is as real as the “seen” world.  (Continued)

Father, I know that all battles are won by your mighty power.  Help me to trust you and the timing of your answers.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.