Through The Bible in a Year - April 28, 2026

"At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved." - Daniel 9:23

Daniel had not even finished praying when the angel Gabriel arrived with God's answer. The heavenly messenger had been dispatched at the very beginning of Daniel's prayer. Before the words were done, God was already moving to inform Daniel how greatly he was loved.

That is the speed of divine mercy! Before we can even finish wording our request – before we can even figure if our request is what is best, God is answering as he knows is best.

We are often tempted to believe that God's mercy is slow — that He waits to answer until we have prayed long enough, suffered enough, or proven our sincerity enough. But Daniel's experience tells a different story. "At the beginning of your pleas," the angel says, “a word went out” in heaven to bring you comfort. God did not wait until Daniel got his words right, or his attitude right, or his petitions perfect. God did not make Daniel earn a hearing. He simply responded — swiftly, surely, and with the tender word: "you are greatly loved."

Before a word is on your lips, God knows it altogether (Ps. 139:4). Even before you call out to Him, He is answering (Is. 65:24). He is not distant or reluctant to help. He is a Father who runs to meet His returning child while the child is still a long way off. When you cry out to God today, know this: the answer is already on its way.

PRAYER: Lord, I confess that I sometimes wonder if You are listening — if my prayers are going anywhere at all. Remind me today of the speed of Your mercy. Even before I finish asking, You are already acting. Help me to pray with confidence, not because I have earned a hearing, but because You are a God who is swift to love and slow to turn away. Thank You that I am greatly loved. In Jesus' name, Amen.