(Dan. 10)
We find Daniel expressing in humbleness of mind his unfitness for receiving such communications. First, one like the similitude of the sons of men touches his lips, and he in instructed to speak unto the Lord. He confesses his weakness—that there was no strength left in him. But “there came again and touched him one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: Peace be unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong” (verses 18, 19).
Men, until they are thoroughly established in peace, until their hearts know the real source of strength, are not capable of profiting by prophecy. Here we find Daniel set upon his feet, his mouth opened, his fears hushed, before the Lord can open out the future unto him. His heart must be in perfect peace in the strength of the Lord, and in the presence of his God. Anxiety of spirit, the want of settled peace, has more to do than people think with the little progress they make in understanding many parts of God’s Word. It is not enough that a man have life and the Spirit of God; but there must be the breaking down of the flesh and the simple, peaceful resting in the Lord. Daniel must go through this scene in order to fit him for what he is to learn; and so must we in our measure. We must realize that same peace and strength in the Lord.
If I am in terror of the Lord’s coming because I am not sure how I shall stand before Him, how can I honestly rejoice that it is so near? There will be a hindrance in my spirit to the clear understanding of the mind of God on that subject. The reason of this lack of competence is not the want of learning, but of being thoroughly established in grace―the want of knowing what we are in Christ Jesus. No matter what other things there may be―nothing will repair this sad deficiency. I speak now of Christian men.
As for mere scholars dabbling in these things, it is as completely out of their sphere as a horse would be in being set to judge the mechanism of a watch. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God... neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.” It is only a scribe of this age meddling with what belongs to another world, of which he knows nothing.
Extract From “Notes on Daniel” by William Kelly, p. 180-181.