Today’s selected reading continues in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel, and more specifically, is found in the tenth chapter. The tenth chapter of the prophetic book of Daniel opens up during the reign of yet another king upon the earth. Thus far within the prophetic book of Daniel we have witnessed Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Belshazzar king of Babylon, Darius the Mede, and now Cyrus the king of Persia. If you journey back to the opening chapter of the book you will discover that Daniel’s prophetic ministry began during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and would continue all the way through to the reign of Cyrus king of Persia. Thus, Daniel’s life and the prophetic ministry he was entrusted with would span four different kings and two different empires. What’s interesting about this is when you consider what is recorded concerning Cyrus king of Persia. In order to understand the days and reign of Cyrus king of Persia, it’s necessary to journey back to the forty-fifth chapter of the prophetic book of Isaiah. It’s within this particular chapter where we find the prophet Isaiah prophesying and speaking of Cyrus centuries before he would even emerge on to the scene as one of the kings of Persia. Beginning with the first verse of the forty-fifth chapter we read these words concerning Cyrus: “Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me” (Isaiah 45:1-6).

Centuries before Cyrus would emerge on to the scene as one of the kings of Persia, the Lord of hosts called him by name through the prophet Isaiah. Through the forty-fifth chapter of the prophetic book of Isaiah we discover that Cyrus king of Persia was raised up specifically for Jacob and specifically for the people of Israel. Cyrus king of Persia was raised up to subdue nations, to loose the loins of kings, to open the two leaved gates, and the gates which shall not be shut. It would be the Lord of hosts who would go before Cyrus and would make the crooked places straight, would break in pieces the gates of brass, and would cut in sunder the bars of iron. Moreover, the Lord of hosts would give Cyrus the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, in order that he might know that it was the Lord which called him by his name. If you journey to the final chapter of the Old Testament book of Chronicles, as well as the first chapter of the prophetic book of Ezra you will notice what was perhaps the single greatest reason and purpose for Cyrus’ emergence on to the scene as king of Persia. Beginning with the twenty-second verse of the final chapter of the book of Second Chronicles you find these words recorded concerning Cyrus king of Persia: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he mad a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up” (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). When the Old Testament book of Ezra opens, it opens with the same declaration as that which was recorded at the conclusion of the book of Second Chronicles: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourner, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the free will offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 1:1-4).

What is so unique about the tenth chapter of the prophetic book of Daniel is that it took place during the third year of the reign of Cyrus king of Persia. I find this to be unique in that we have already discovered that it was during the first year of the reign of Cyrus king of Persia that his heart was stirred by the Lord to issue a decree that not only permitted the Jewish people to return to their own land, but also to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. It was Cyrus king of Persia who announced and issued the decree that permitted a people to return and a house to be rebuilt. When this particular occurrence within the life of Daniel took place, it did so during the third year of the reign of Cyrus king of Persia, thus indicating that it had already been three years into the return of the Jewish people to the land, and the Lord’s restoration of them within that land. It was during the first year of the reign of Cyrus king of Persia that the Jewish people were permitted to return to their own land, and to rebuild the Temple, and it was during the third year of his reign that a thing was revealed unto Daniel. The revelation which Daniel received of the Lord came perhaps two full years after the Jewish people had returned to their own land and had begun the process of rebuilding their own houses, as well as rebuilding the Temple of the Lord. Three years into the process of restoration and rebuilding a thing was revealed unto Daniel—a thing which was true, yet which the appointed time thereof was long. Scripture goes on to reveal that Daniel understood this thing which was revealed unto him, and had understanding of the vision. During these times Daniel ate not pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in his mouth, neither did Daniel anoint himself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. This chapter reveals how in the four and twentieth day of the first month, Daniel was by the side of the great river, which was Hiddekel, when he lifted up his eyes and beheld one who had come to appear unto him.

It’s in and with the fifth verse we begin to understand the vision of the one who appeared unto Daniel during that time: “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude” (Daniel 10:5-6). Two years after the return and restoration of the children of Israel to their own land—the land of their inheritance, promise and blessing—Daniel experienced a vision as one clothed in linen appeared unto him. It’s worth noting that the one who appeared unto Daniel did so with a very specific reason and purpose—namely to reveal a divine mystery unto the servant of the Lord. Concerning the encounter with this man clothed in linen, we discover that Daniel alone saw the vision, for the men which were with him saw not the vision, but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. I can’t help but be reminded of Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus—an encounter which dramatically changed and altered the life of Saul. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persectuest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:1-9).

The account of Saul was recounted again by Saul—Saul, whose name was now Paul—as he provided and gave defense of his stewardship of the gospel and his apostleship. Consider the language that is written within the twenty-second chapter beginning with the first verse: “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told of thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I cam into Damascus” (Acts 22:1-11). Paul would have the ability to recount this experience once more within his life, which is recorded for us in the twenty-sixth chapter of the book, beginning with the twelfth verse: “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw in the way A light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I hearda. Voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecuted. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:12-18).

The reason I recounted the encounter Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus, is because Saul encountered the Lord Jesus Christ while journeying to persecute, and even put to death Christians. The encounter Saul had with the risen and exalted Christ that not only knocked him off his horse, not only blinded him, but also caused those men who were with him to be sore afraid. When speaking of Daniel’s encounter with the man clothed in linen, we find Daniel looking upon and beholding and seeing the vision alone, for the men that were with him were not able to see the vision. What’s more, is that Daniel recounts who a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Thus, Daniel was left alone by the Hiddekel River with this man who was clothed in linen, for those who were with him had fled from him. I can’t help but find this to be incredibly unique, for there are times when an encounter with the presence of the Lord will separate us from those who perhaps had been with us prior to that moment in time. I am convinced there are times when we can and will encounter the presence of the Lord and as a result of that encounter, it will draw a clear and definitive line in the sand between us and those around us. There are times when we need to remain alone with, and alone before the Lord of hosts, as the Lord seeks to speak something very specific to us. I am reminded of the account of Jacob when he was left alone by the Jabok River, and how it was there at the Jabok river where he encountered the Lord. Consider the text that is found in the thirty-second chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis concerning Jacob: “And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. And nd he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esa; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands: and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. And Jacob said, O god of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee form the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother…So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone: there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day” (Genesis 32:1-24).

Within the examples of Daniel and Jacob we find two men who were left alone by and with themselves, and it was from that place of being alone that they each encountered the divine manifestation of the glory and person of the Lord. I am convinced there is a powerful prophetic picture that is contained within these two accounts, for there are times within our lives when the Lord needs to get us alone in order that He might do in and with us that which He needs to. I am reminded of another account in the New Testament gospel of Matthew when Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him, and removed them from the disciples and the crowds that had gathered around them. “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only” (Matthew 17:1-8). Notice what is recorded in the first verse of this particular chapter, for within the first verse we read how Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain “apart.” Please don’t lose sight of or miss the significance of that word “apart,” for it reveals something incredibly powerful concerning the work of the Lord within our lives. There are times within our hearts and lives when the Lord needs to bring us to the place where we are all alone—to the place where it is just us ourselves, and the Lord of hosts. Jesus took Peter, James and John up into an high mountain apart from the disciples and apart from the crowds, in order that from that place of being apart, He might manifest Himself unto them. It was there in and there from that place of “apart” that Jesus was transfigured before them, and where they not only saw Jesus in the glory He had with the Father from and within eternity, but also saw Moses and Elijah talking with Him. There is something incredibly powerful about being in that place of “apart,” for it is oftentimes only in that place where the true work can be done within our hearts and lives.

There is a particular passage found in the eighth chapter of the New Testament gospel of Mark that further confirms this reality and concept of being taken apart from the noise, apart and away form the crowds, and away and apart from all the commotion that is round us. Beginning with the twenty-second verse of the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Mark we read of Jesus coming to Bethsaida, and His encountering a certain man in that place. “And He cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looke dup, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town” (Mark 8:22-26). AND HE TOOK THE BLIND MAN BY THE HAND, AND LED HIM OUT OF THE TOWN! One of the greatest questions I have to ask when reading this passage is whether or not I am willing to allow Jesus to take me by the hand—and not only take me by the hand, but also lead me to a place where I am unfamiliar with. I do not believe for one moment that Jesus explained to this man where He was taking him, and where He was leading him. When Jesus took this blind man by the hand, there was a tremendous amount of trust that needed to be exercised by this man, for he was being led somewhere that he physically could not see in front of him. How many times do we ask the Lord to lead us, and we may even allow Him to take us by the hand, but we expect to see exactly where He is taking us? How many times does our trust in the leading of Jesus go only as far as being able to see exactly what is in front of us, and exactly where we are going? How many men and women need to see exactly what is in front of them? How many men and women need to see exactly where they are going? How many men and women need to be able to see and be aware of what’s around them—even though they have been taken by the hand and led by Jesus the Christ? Let me ask you a question—How deep does your faith truly go? How deep does your trust truly go? Are you willing to allow the Lord to lead you—even though and even when you cannot see in front of you, see around you, or where you are going?

I absolutely love the account of this blind man, for not only was this blind man led outside and away from the city, but He was also led out of the city into a place where he was alone with Jesus. I love the fact that this man was blind, and that Jesus took him by the hand, and led him out of the town. By being blind, this man could not see that which he was passing as Jesus was leading him outside of the town. By being blind, this man could not see the direction he was headed, for he needed to trust exactly where Jesus was taking and leading him. By being blind, this man could not see ahead of him to see where he would be headed, or even when he arrived. Pause for a moment and consider that it is possible for you arrive exactly where you are supposed to be, and yet not even be aware that you are in that place. This blind man had arrived in the exact place he needed to be in, yet his blindness prevented him from even being aware that he had arrived in and at that place. Oh, I can’t help but think of how many men and women are presently arriving, or have arrived in and at the exact place they were intended on being, and yet once they are there they aren’t even aware of it. It is possible that we can be in the very place we need to be in in order for the work of the Lord to be done in our lives to take place. The work which Jesus needed and wanted to do in the life of this man could not be done in the town of Bethsaida, but needed to take place outside of the town. Even when Jesus was crucified, He was crucified outside of the city—a work that could and would not be done in the city. There are times within our lives when we need to be led outside of the town, or led up into an high mountain, or even left alone to and with ourselves in order for the work to be accomplished. There are times when we cannot remain on and at ground level, nor remain within the town, for so long as we remain there we cannot and will not experience the work that needs to be done within our hearts and lives. There are times when we need to allow ourselves to be taken by the hand and led outside of the town so the work that needs to be done can in fact be completed and accomplished. I believe that one of the most prophetic realities concerning this reality within our lives is that when we are being led by the Lord, we cannot, we dare not, we must not rely on our sight in order to arrive where we are going. We must remember the words of the Scripture when it speaks of walking by faith and not by sight—especially considering how often we rely and focus on our sight

How much do you rely on your sight when following the Lord? Are you willing to completely neglect and forsake your sight when following Jesus, and completely trust in His ability to lead you exactly where you need to go in order that you might arrive in that place? This blind man was taken by the hand, and was led outside the town and into that place where Jesus had already determined He would take him. This blind man needed to trust completely and totally in the ability of Jesus—not only to lead him to place he could not see, but also to heal him in and from that place. LED TO A PLACE WE CANNOT SEE AND HEALED IN THE PLACE WE HAVE BEEN LED! There is something incredibly powerful about being left alone with and to ourselves, and from that place experiencing the divine presence and glory of the Lord. Daniel was left alone in that place by the river, for those who were with him had fled from him because of fear of that which had taken place before and around them. The question we are being confronted with is whether or not we are willing to be left alone in that place, in order that in and from that place the Lord might speak to us. It was left alone that Daniel received revelation from the man who was clothed in linen. It was high upon the mountain away and apart from the disciples and the crowds the disciples were able to experience the transfigured Christ. It was left all alone by the river Jabbok that Jacob experienced the angel of the Lord and wrestled with him throughout the night. It was after being led by the hand outside of the town that this man who had been blind received healing from Jesus who is the Christ. LED OUTSIDE AND LEFT ALONE! I am becoming more and more convinced that there are specific times within our lives when the only way the work of the Lord can be done within our hearts and lives is when we are willing to be led outside and be willing to be left alone. The disciples followed Jesus as He led them up the mountain, and the blind man walked with Jesus as He led him outside the town. Daniel was left alone by the River where he would experience a new revelation and mystery in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. Oh that we would allow ourselves to be challenged in and from this place in order that we might be completely transformed and changed by the power and presence of the Lord of glory.