God Had a Plan, Daniel was Exhausted

God had a plan. Daniel was exhausted. He’d been fasting for three weeks. As soon as the certain man dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold began to speak, he fell on his face in the dirt – asleep! Truthfully, he may have even fainted from fear. I tend to think any of us would react in a way similar to the way Daniel reacted. God certainly has not chosen us on the basis of our strength, our courage, even our ability to remain alert.

This man dressed in linen is sent forth by God to reveal the very secrets of God to Daniel, mere human being on the earth. And there Daniel is, face planted in the dirt. Imagine the one dressed in linen saying, “Hey Lord, Daniel’s tired. How ‘bout I go find someone else who’s at least awake to tell the vision to?” And imagine God replying, “Okay. Do that.” Of course that’s not what happened. That man dressed in linen woke Daniel up and stood him on his trembling feet.

You know, even Jesus Himself, in the garden of Gethsemane, had to be strengthened by an angel for God’s plan. And Jesus was strengthened for the plan of the Father because Jesus never was in pursuit of His own goals and personal happiness. He sought only the will of the Father, from start to finish.

Daniel, a man full of faith in God, was favored by God, and God pursued His plan through Daniel, not being set back by the mere mortal’s weakness. He was God’s chosen vessel for a message and a vision, and God always does what He says He will do.

Daniel 10:5-19
I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz.
His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.
Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.
So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.
But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you " And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
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.
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
"Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."
When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.
"For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."
Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.
He said, "O man of high esteem, do not be afraid Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Job 42:1-2
Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]