My Story

I hope that in sharing this, I might be able to uplift someone who’s walking where I’ve walked. Please take what you can from it, and share it with those you know who need it most.

Art thou greater than He?

In Daniel 10, after Daniel has survived the lion’s den, he is filled with sorrow as he learns of the sins of his people and he loses all his strength. Even after we experience miracles in our lives, we have a tendency to lose heart when the going gets tough.

7 And I Daniel alone saw the ^avision: 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. It can often feel like in the face of trials, all of those around us might ‘flee’ and we’re left alone to fulfill the task Heavenly Father has asked us to do. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no ^astrength 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 ^atoward the ground. As we do our best to withstand the temptations of the adversary, our defenses are torn down one by one as our righteous desires succumb to the wants of our natural man. That is Satan’s goal, is to make us forget what we’re about and feel like we’re alone and weak. Satan, no thank you!

 10 ¶And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. When our strength has failed us entirely, we won’t bounce back to a hundred percent right away. But as we recognize the hand of the Lord, we can make progress, even if it’s only to our hands and knees to start with. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly ^abeloved, 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. Our strength gradually increases as we trust Heavenly Father and obey Him. If you go from your hands and knees to standing, even if it’s a little shaky, that’s a lot of progress. 12 Then said he unto me, ^aFear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst ^bset thine heart to understand, and to ^cchasten thyself before thy God, thy words were ^dheard, and I am come for thy words. 14 Now I am come to make thee understand.  From the very first moment we decide to follow God, He hears us and knows what we need. It might feel like a really long time, because we’re impatient mortal beings. But one day, we will be able to understand His wise purpose in allowing us to struggle a little longer.

15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became ^adumb. 16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, Even when we DO regain our strength, we will have no ability if we don’t rely on the Lord. It’s so crucial to remember the humility we learn when we’re face down in the mud, so that as He lifts us higher we continue to depend on Him and allow Him to shape us further. 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. Again, even in the midst of his learning and growth, Daniel is remembering his sorrows. Heavenly Father, he says, I know that you’re standing here with me, but look at how HARD this trial is! How can I do it, even with your help?

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.

Be strong in the Lord, and we will have peace. No matter what it is that you’re facing, whether it’s the day to day trials of life or one that’s a unique mountain for you to climb, we can say like Caleb did, Give me this mountain! I want it. I want this opportunity to learn, and grow, and serve the Lord. I want it because I know that as the Lord strengthens me, we can do it!

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the ^apit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the ^bdeep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to ^chedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of ^dhell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee ^eexperience, and shall be for thy good.

 8 The ^aSon of Man hath ^bdescended below them all. Art thou greater than he?