WHAT IS TRULY HIGH PRAISE? Daniel 10:12-13.

What have been your favorite compliments? I recently wrote a list of favorites from my whole life—I came up with 37, including one or two from each of you!

But several people in the Bible were praised by God—now THAT’S high praise! God called Abraham His friend, Genesis 18:17. He said Job spoke rightly of God’s truth, Job 42:7. God called Noah, Job, and Daniel righteous, Ezekiel 14:14. God said Moses was the most humble man who ever lived, Numbers 12:3. He said David was “a man after My own heart, who will do My will” 1 Samuel 13:14. The angels greeted Mary by saying, “Hail, highly favored one” Luke 1:28. Paul says if he suffers for Christ, that means God considered him “worthy to suffer for His name” Philippians 1:29.

But today I’m reading Daniel. In chapter 9, the angel Gabriel comes to Daniel and says “you are treasured by God” Daniel 9:23. Wouldn’t that be amazing? In chapter 10, Gabriel came to Daniel again and began his message by saying, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God….” Daniel 10:11. Then after the angel’s message overwhelmed Daniel, Gabriel touched him and said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be strong!” Daniel 10:19.

Why does Daniel receive such High Praise–three times? Gabriel explained:

“Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that YOU PURPOSED TO UNDERSTAND and to HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me….” Daniel 10:12-13.

Daniel is praised for being determined to understand God’s truth, and for humbling himself before God. Can we do those two things? Yes!

Make a choice to (1) learn and understand God’s word, no matter how tough it might be, and (2) to HUMBLE yourself before His word.

Ask God to help you be like Daniel, so that God can bestow the same sort of high praise on you. (*Also—be persistent in prayer: God sent Daniel his answer, but a battle between angels and demons delayed the answer 21 days!)

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