Truths from Daniel: “Fear Not, Peace, & Be Strong”

We have been going through the book of Daniel at church, and a couple of Sunday’s ago we came to chapter ten. My dad pointed out three great truths that the Lord spoke to Daniel that I hadn’t really noticed before. Daniel here is in a very weak state, having been fasting and mourning for three weeks. He had been confessing to God the sins of his nation and praying for restoration, but no answer had yet come. Daniel was literally face down to the ground when the Lord appeared to him, touched him and said:

“O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” (Daniel 10:19)

What great truths! It was even more powerful as we looked then at how many times these three phrases appear throughout the Bible.

1. “Fear not!” – God is in control, so there is no need to fear!

“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen… fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” –Isaiah 41:8a, 10

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” –Isaiah 41:13

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; You are Mine.’” –Isaiah 43:1

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law; Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults…you have feared continually every day because of the furry of the oppressor… but I am the LORD your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared – the LORD of hosts is His name.” –Isaiah 51:7, 13b, 15

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles… and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” –Matthew 10:16-19, 28   

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” –Matthew 10:29-31

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to ear up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.” –Psalm 27:1-3

2. “Peace” – If we keep our eyes on the Lord, then His perfect peace will reign in our hearts.

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat in to the boat, so that it was already filling… then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” –Mark 37, 39

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” –Isaiah 26:3

(the opposite) “‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked.’” –Isaiah 48:22

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6, 7

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” –Psalm 4:8

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” –Romans 8:6

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

3. “Be strong” – By putting our trust in the Lord, He gives us the strength for anything we may face.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” –Ephesians 6:10, 11

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecution, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” –2 Corinthians 12:9, 10

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” –Psalm 31:24

“The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.” –Psalm 29:11

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” –1 Corinthians 16:13

These three truths: “Fear not, peace to you, and be strong” are so important to keep close to our hearts. Especially considering this last year with all the unnecessary fear that the media has pushed with the coronavirus, all the rioting that has gone on in our country, and now the ungodly people who are in our government who are trying to tear apart our nation and lead us down a very dark road.

Just like how the Lord came to Daniel and told Him, “Fear not! Peace to you. Be strong!” the Lord comes to us through His Word and tells us, “Fear not, My peace I give to you, and be strong!” Even though the world may seem to be falling apart around us and discouraging things are happening, we as Christians can be at complete peace because we know that God is in control, and He has promised to be with us. His plans are still being carried out, and He will be victorious in the end!

Sincerely,