Glimpse Behind the Veil

Early in my Christian walk my faith was often challenged as I observed conflicts between good and evil where evil seemed to trump the good. I often wondered,

“Are the hosts of satanic beings able to interfere at all with God’s will? What is happening when it seems my prayers are not being answered?”

While we cannot plumb the full depths of these questions, there is a fascinating story in the book of Daniel that parts the curtain just a little giving us a glimpse into cosmic mysteries hidden from our view.

This story is in Daniel 10 and here are the highlights. “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks... Now on the twenty- fourth day of the first month… I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!...Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day [that you began to pray]…your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty- one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” ( Verses 2; 4- 5; and12- 13)

This being speaking to Daniel was clearly from heaven, sent by God with a response to Daniel’s prayer. Notice what happens. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him for twenty- one days. This prince would also be a supernatural being apparently assigned to oversee Satan’s affairs in the kingdom of Persia. Here we see an agent of the satanic realm withstanding an agent of God’s heavenly kingdom and blocking his progress for three weeks. Can evil agencies interfere with the will of God? It would appear that they can.

So, what are a few takeaways? First, when we don’t get immediate, tangible responses to our prayers, it could be that God’s answering agents sometimes must get through obstructions thrown up by the enemy. In Daniel’s case, what made the difference? Michael came and swept the evil hinderance aside. Secondly, God always wins, and when you need Him to come through, He always will, even if it takes a minute.

Susan is a friend of mine. She and her husband have been married for over sixty years. Sometime after they married, Susan became a Christian, but her husband did not and, apparently, had no interest in doing so. So, Susan began praying for him. Years passed and nothing changed. But she kept praying and prayed without ceasing for forty- five years! About eight years ago he agreed to attend some revival meetings where he gave his heart to Jesus and became a Christ- follower. He loves Jesus and is active in serving Christ today. What was going on between good and evil behind the cosmic veil as God was working to reach his heart? Only the hereafter will tell.

We must remember that both the forces of God and those of Satan are well- organized, and both are all in to win the allegiance of human hearts. But also remember that Satan and his entire host have already lost the war. When you, friend, cast your faith on the side of God, you are linking your interests with the One who has never lost a battle and never will. The forces of hell can never prevail against you when you are linked with Him who is infinite in love and power.