Daniel 10:12 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. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
The story of this battle between the angel Gabriel and satan, for the mind of the king of Persia is really a microcosm of the greater conflict that takes place daily for our hearts and minds. Every major decision and choice we make, from day to day, cumulatively, will contribute to determining our eternal destiny.
And every decision and choice we make, that comes down on the side of righteousness, will further cement the fact that our sins will one day, be transferred to the head of the scape goat, which to him is very bad news. We are the arbiters of our own destiny, and when we choose to do right it would matter in the greater scheme of things; not as having any intrinsic, salvific value, but as a determining factor in whom we will ultimately choose to serve and obey.
Obeying God does not in any way save a person, in and of itself, for we are all saved by grace through faith. What obedience does is, it makes clear where our allegiance lies, and our allegiance to either one of the two great powers in the universe, ultimately determines our eternal destiny.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!