Definition: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 10:12. It’s a really beautiful and profound message about faith and God’s love. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “Don’t worry, Daniel. You’ve been diligently working to understand God, and you’ve been trying to improve yourself – that’s a really important thing! Because of your effort, and because you’re striving to be better, God is listening to you.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Then said he unto me…” : This suggests a direct communication from God. It’s not just random thoughts; there’s a specific message being delivered. “…Fear not, Daniel: for…” : This is a gentle reassurance – he’s telling you to not be worried. “from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand…” : This is key. “Set thine heart” means to dedicate yourself completely to understanding God and His will. It implies a consistent commitment. It’s about being focused . “…and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard…” : This is the core of the message. "Chasten thyself" means to try to improve yourself – to be honest, accountable, and make amends for your mistakes. It’s a call to self-reflection and repentance. “Thy words were heard” means that because you've been striving to understand and improve, God is responding to your efforts. “I am come for thy words.” : This is the final, most important part. God has come to listen to you – to hear what you have to say and learn from it. It’s a promise of reconciliation and forgiveness. In essence, the verse is saying: Your consistent effort to understand and improve yourself—through prayer and reflection—is leading to a direct and positive response from God. What does this mean for us? It encourages us to: Be diligent in our faith: Don’t just think about God; actively seek to understand His word. Practice self-reflection: Take time to honestly assess your actions and beliefs, and make amends where needed. Pray consistently: Prayer is a vital way to connect with God and receive His guidance. Does this make sense? Do you want me to go into any part of the verse in more detail or perhaps explore its significance within the context of the Bible? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism behind "chasten thyself" The idea of God’s “listening” How this verse relates to other passages about repentance and forgiveness