AN HAND TOUCHED ME
Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Daniel 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
The hand that now raises the Prophet Daniel from being on his face and without strength after the revelation of the “certain man,” (who is similar to the vision of the Apostle John on Patmos. See Revelation 1:13-15), is the same hand that appeared to write on the wall advising King Belshazzar that he had been weighed in the balances and found wanting. For the same God who raises up one, puts down another.
1 Samuel 2:6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.
Both the king and Daniel had similar Babylonian names, but they were far from being the same in heart. The king was Belshazzar, and Daniel’s Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. The prefix, “Bel” on both names had to do with the chief Babylonian god, Baal. But though the world sees the Lord’s people in identities far different from their spiritual characters, only the Lord can truly identify them. Belshazzar means, “Bel protect the king.” But Daniel means, “Judge of God.” And his Babylonian name given him by Nebuchadnezzar means “Ba-al’s Prince.”
But only the Lord God can name his people. Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
For those who are born from above receive new natures for their spiritual identities, and therefore cannot be known by those with only natural births. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And so it is with the Lord God. For as Daniel was first given the revelation OF God before he was afforded the revelation FROM God, so only those who have been given eternal life, having had the Person of God revealed to them, can receive the revelation of God through the scriptures. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
One cannot have “the peace of God” until they have “the God of peace.” Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Now as to the hand which raised Daniel up, we know that it was provided by the humanity of God’s dear Son. Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Therefore every pre-Incarnate ‘appearance’ of God is of the Eternal Son of God. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
For it is Christ alone who has ascended into the presence of God for us, he alone having “clean hands and a pure heart.” Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
The Lord is very much involved with his people still on earth! His ‘hand’ is not restricted from interacting with them and their needs! Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Psalm 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. 80:17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
And we find that there is effectual results when God’s hand touched Daniel. That Hebrew word “touched” is also translated, “it reacheth” in Jeremiah 4:18. So it is a matter of God’s purposeful reaching out to benefit his people. And when that connection is made, power goes out from the Lord.
Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. (“ceased”) 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue (power) is gone out of me.
And this blessing is not just to these ancient Bible characters! It is for all the Lord’s people of all times! Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
And what was the effect upon Daniel when this happened to him? First he was set upright. Daniel 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. (See also Daniel 10:10,18) He was restored to an upright and upstanding condition in order to properly stand before the Lord. Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. That is, as the Amplified Bible states, sought out “many devises for evil.” God’s “touch” alone is the restoring power to recover fallen man into an upright and spiritual upstanding condition to properly reflect Him in whose image he was made!
Then we find that another thing which results in this hand touching Daniel was that he was granted understanding. Daniel 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (the appointed time of the evening sacrifice). 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
This is also the heritage of those who have been ‘touched’ by the redemptive hand of the Holy Spirit. For to receive Christ is to receive spiritual understanding. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
For Christ is our wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
And if we yet lack more, we simply need to ask. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; (that is, he does not find fault, or bring reproach upon those asking), and it shall be given him.
It is a spiritual wisdom that only comes from God. Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
This wisdom is not just a higher human intelligence. But it is accompanied by a holy and meek life. For a life of vain glory only accompanies a devilish wisdom! James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
And then the touch of this hand caused Daniel’s mouth to be opened so he could actually talk with the Lord God! Daniel 10:16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
The scriptures clearly inform us that we are, of ourselves inadequate in prayer. We need the touch of the Holy Spirit to intercede for us. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
We must pray in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
We find ourselves unable, like the Prophet Isaiah, to commune with the Holy God, except we are “touched” upon our lips for the cleansing of our sin. Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
May the Lord’s people turn away from mere religious tradition, back to the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Gene Breed
January 30, 2020
