January 21, 2016
For You Are Highly Esteemed
“For you are highly esteemed” is how some translations interpret this passage from the Book of Daniel. The impact of this compliment comes from the fact that it is spoken by the angel Gabriel. The angel has just been dispatched from the throne of heaven. This makes one wonder and ask, how does a person become highly esteemed in heaven?
Other translations use words like beloved or precious. Most Bible scholars agree that Daniel was one whose happiness was greatly desired by God; or, a man of God‘s delight; that is, as in our version, greatly beloved or esteemed. Not only was Daniel’s prayer answered, an angel is sent to quickly give him the news, while he was still praying.
Daniel is certainly not the only man to rise above the crowd. The Bible is full of men of God, like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, or John the Baptist, who have risen to great heights of leadership and even suffering. But in this passage we have an example of Daniel’s prayer life, as well as his faith. We can have confidence that God hears and answers our prayers.
Believers should ask, “Is my faith such that I am highly esteemed in heaven, or are my prayers so infrequent that I am a stranger there?”
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. –Martin Luther
Daniel 9:23
| “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved….” Daniel 9:23 KJV | “The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.” Daniel 9:23 NLT | “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” Daniel 9:23 NIV |
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