“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. (Daniel 10: 4-5)
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. (Daniel 10:10)
Again, one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. (Daniel 10:18)
This chapter gives us a glimpse of the intersection between the spirit (or supernatural) world and the natural world, as Daniel encounters supernatural beings that present themselves as natural ones. Daniel describes the first character as a “man clothed in linen.” (4-5) Then, in verse 10, he describes a hand touching him. Finally, in verse 18, he described being touched by “one having the appearance of man.”
Often in my circles, this intersection of the supernatural and natural is dismissed as being too charismatic or Pentecostal. While there have certainly been excesses, even abuse of the idea of the supernatural in the charismatic world, we must be careful not to dismiss the spirit realm.
Not understanding something is no reason to act as if it doesn’t exist. Hebrews 13:2 gives us a sober warning in this regard, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Father, help me be excited that you are at work in the natural world even when I don’t understand it completely. Help me to see this world with spiritual eyes. Amen.
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