Daniel 10:19

I've been soaking in the book of Daniel this week. Yesterday morning I was greatly helped by meditating on the heavenly messenger's words to a confused, troubled, and exhausted Daniel:

"
And he said, 'O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.' And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'" -Daniel 10:19

Like Daniel, we are to find fresh strength in God's words to us. And God's ancient words to Daniel are words for us. This side of the cross we can read Daniel 10:19 knowing that, like Daniel, we too are so "greatly loved" that God sent his Son to live and die in our place. Whatever we're facing, we too can obey the charge to "fear not" and "be strong and of good courage" because God has sent his Spirit into our lives, enabling us to obey him and walk in faith, rather than fear.