Greatly Beloved

A Man Greatly Beloved

Dan. 10:18-19

Daniel had been under a heavy burden for three full weeks. A heavenly messenger now addressed him as a man greatly beloved. Peace and strength flowed into his entire being.

Daniel had been given extraordinary wisdom. One king after another acclaimed his superiority, but he knew his dependence was upon God. He was preferred among the presidents and the princes because an excellent spirit was found in him.

Daniel was found faithful in all his duties. When those jealous officers of King Darius sought occasion to destroy him, the only complaint they could find against him was concerning his God.

Daniel did not gain the confidence of kings and the acknowledgment of faithfulness by his foes by clever evasions of the truth. He told King Nebuchadnezzar that the interpretation of his dream was what he could wish for his enemies. "They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven.... till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men" (4:25). He did not hesitate to say to Belshazzar, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians" (5:27-28).

Men of wisdom and humility whose only fault is concerning the law of their God, men of impeccable integrity, are still men greatly beloved.