Deeper Reflection
How are we to face the unprecedented “time of distress”? (v.1). There must be preparedness for suffering. God has already spoken about this special “time of distress”, just as Jesus said, “Behold, I have told you in advance” (Matt 24:25). The divine purpose is that we be prepared spiritually. The thrice repeated “that time” calls us to pay close attention to God’s Word on this. The question is, do we take this seriously and take heed, and not be caught unprepared?Enveloping the future difficult times of God’s people (Dan 11) is “Michael” (Dan 10:21 and v.1). No one can stand firmly against the spiritual principalities and powers working behind powerful human kingdoms that oppose God’s people, except Michael (Dan 10:20-21), who “stands guard and watches over” God’s people (v.1, NASB, NET). But it is more than Michael enveloping God’s people. Michael represents God. So, it is actually the presence of God through Michael enveloping us in the unparalleled “time of distress”, watching over us and guarding us. With God’s presence, we stand with perseverance in security in God: Our names are “written in the book” – “the book of life” (Psa 69:28; Rev 3:5). The security is similar to Jesus keeping and guarding us, “and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (Jn 10:28-29; 17:12). And we rest in God’s promise of deliverance: We “will be rescued”. In suffering, “we do not know how to pray as we should”: To be delivered from suffering or through suffering – that is, perseverance? In suffering, we need to pray in the Spirit (Rom 8:23-27).

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¹² Psalms 25:1, 16-20 ¹³ Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (IVP, 1978), 203