Daniel (Greek) 10:7-11: a reflection

7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8So I was left alone, and saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; for my face grew deathly pale, and I retained no strength. 9Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. 10Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11He said to me, “Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you. Stand upright, for I have been sent to you, now.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.

Daniel has a vision so overwhelming that his strength drains away; his face turns deathly pale, and he falls to the ground in a deep swoon, undone by the encounter. He is not standing strong in the presence of God; he is flattened, weak, unable even to hold himself up. And then, gently, a hand touches him, setting him on his hands and knees, and a voice says, O Daniel, greatly beloved man, understand the words I speak, and stand up.

Notice how God meets Daniel in his weakness. Not with rebuke for being overwhelmed, not by leaving him collapsed, but with a strengthening touch and a tender name: greatly beloved. In the very moment Daniel is trembling and undone, unable to stand, God calls him deeply loved. The assurance of being beloved comes precisely when Daniel is at his weakest, and it is what lifts him back to his feet.

There is comfort here for the times we are overwhelmed and undone, when the weight of things drains our strength and we cannot hold ourselves up. God does not despise us in that state or wait for us to recover before he draws near. He meets the collapsed and trembling with a steadying touch and the word beloved, and helps us stand. If you are flattened right now, weak, unable to rise on your own, hear the word spoken to Daniel spoken over you: greatly beloved. Let God's touch strengthen you, and his love lift you to your feet.

Lord, when I am overwhelmed and undone, my strength gone, unable to hold myself up, you do not despise me or wait for me to recover. Like Daniel, meet me with a steadying touch and the word beloved. Assure me that I am deeply loved even at my weakest, and let your love lift me back to my feet.