He Always Answers

READ: Daniel 9:3-23

While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel . . . reached me. --Daniel 9:21

Daniel was determined to pray regularly, and it got him thrown into the lions' den (Daniel 6). But have you ever noticed how God answered his prayers?

In Daniel 9, we learn that Daniel had been reading Jeremiah's prophecy that the exile of the Israelites was supposed to end after 70 years. So Daniel prayed that God would not delay the end of the captivity. He confessed Israel's sin and asked for God's intervention.

Then, while Daniel was still praying, God not only sent an answer but He also sent His angel Gabriel to deliver it. Daniel said, "While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me" (v.21). In other words, before Daniel had even finished his prayer, God heard it and immediately sent Gabriel with the answer (vv.22-23).

Yet, on another occasion when Daniel prayed, Scripture tells us that the messenger God sent with the answer took 3 weeks to arrive (10:12-13).

We can learn important lessons from Daniel about how God answers our prayers today. Sometimes God sends the answer immediately. Sometimes the answer is delayed. Either way, He always answers.  

It matters not what tongue we speak, Nor where life's pathway leads;

God hears the cries His children raise And always meets our needs.

There are three possible answers to prayer: Yes, No, or Wait.