How does God renew our strength when we are weak? How does God encourage us when we become discouraged? This Sunday we continue our sermon series “Daniel: On Earth as It Is in Heaven.” We join Daniel near the end of his lifelong service to God. It is now the third year of Cyrus, almost seventy years since he was taken into exile. Daniel is probably in his late 80’s or early 90’s. He is in a posture of mourning. He is fasting. He is looking to the future and longing for God’s will to be done on earth. In his weakness, he is met in a vision by an angel with a glorious appearance. Daniel is at first overwhelmed. Yet, the angel announces, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage” (Dan 10:19). The greatest gift that God gives is himself. We are strengthened by his presence and the awareness that heaven and earth are indeed connected in Christ. Just as angels ministered to Daniel, angels encouraged Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness. The God of angel armies is always by our side.
source