Heaven’s Help on Earth

Daniel 10:12-14

Introduction

When you listen to the radio in your car, sometimes the signal can go in and out. The music may get louder and then softer, or it may disappear altogether and be replaced by a crackling sound before it finally returns to what was playing originally. While invisible to you, something affected your radio and interfered with the signal traveling from the radio station to the antenna in your car. Similarly, what happens in the spiritual realm affects what happens in the physical realm. The spiritual conflict between two realms—heaven and earth—is going on all around us. We are often oblivious to the conflict, and we can make the mistake of thinking there is nothing we can do about it. However, this conflict or battle is important for us to acknowledge because Satan and his fallen angels are actively seeking to tear believers down. Scripture tells us that we have spiritual authority we need to reclaim. Spiritual authority is the right to bring heaven’s help into earthly circumstances.

Believers have the right to call upon heaven for help to influence the situation here on earth. But there are qualifications to exercising spiritual authority. Not all believers will be able to make an impression on the physical realm. Spiritual authority is only available to believers who are committed, dependent, and repentant. Believers living in the flesh and relying on their physical strength rather than living in the power of the Holy Spirit will not be effective. Like a lamp that only works when it is plugged in, we need to be plugged into the power source of the Holy Spirit, committed to living dependent on God’s strength and capacity. Repentance is also crucial because unconfessed sin will inhibit our relationship with God and diminish our impact on the spiritual realm.

How do we access this spiritual authority? Prayer gives us access. It is how we insert ourselves into the spiritual conflict and fulfill our role as warriors who wrestle against the enemy in battle (Ephesians 6:12).  Prayerlessness keeps us outside of God’s desire for our involvement in His kingdom. If we do not prioritize prayer, then we will be subject to the physical without the help of the spiritual. We need to be on the alert, be aware of spiritual dangers, and cry out to God for help (1 Peter 5:8). We do not need to be afraid (Daniel 10:12). God hears our prayers and equips us for battle. We simply need to step obediently into the spiritual authority He has already given us.

Getting Started

1. What are some current examples of spiritual conflict on earth?
2. In what areas of your life do you have authority? When have you exercised that authority?

Let’s Get Personal

1. How has the enemy caused spiritual conflict in the environment around you?
2. When have you cried out to God and seen Him answer your prayers? When have you avoided prayer, and how did that affect you?
3. What does it look like to be plugged into the power of the Holy Spirit? What do you think holds you back from being dependent on the Spirit?

Take the Next Step

1. What are practical ways that you can make prayer a priority in your daily life?
2. Do you have people in your life that you trust to call you out when you are relying on your own strength rather than on the power of the Holy Spirit? Ask someone—family, friend, or small group member—to hold you accountable this week to acknowledge when you are dependent on your power rather than the Spirit’s power.
3. Choose a Bible passage from this message (e.g., Daniel 10:12; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12), write it down, and post it somewhere you will see it every day to remind yourself of who your enemy really is, how important it is to pray continually, and how God has given you the spiritual authority you need to do battle.
4. Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Daniel 10:12-14; 1 Peter 5:8; Isaiah 14:12-14; Daniel 4:26; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Revelations 12:2-11; Matthew 25:41; Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12.

Renew Your Mind

“Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.”

Daniel 10:12