READ: Daniel 9,10; Proverbs; 2 Peter 2
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 9: 17 “Now,
our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord,
look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.
18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the
city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are
righteous, but because of your great mercy.
19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do
not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
OBSERVATION: We see many people
are reluctant to take responsibility for the mistakes or misdeeds they have
committed. Instead, they would blame others or justify themselves. If someone
went through a tough time, or imprisonment, or was taken away from home for the
things she or he never did, it would lead to a negative perception of people
and grudge against them. But, Daniel was a different man of God. He was deported
to Babylon at the age of 14 in 603 BC. “In the first year of Darius son of
Xerxes” (538 BC), he was more than 80
years old. At that time, as he read the Scriptures from the book of Jeremiah, he
understood that the exile would last only for 70 years. By calculation, the
Jews’ exile will come to an end soon. Daniel’s response to knowing the soon
ending of deportation was that he turned to the Lord and prayed to him for his
people and restoration.
Daniel began to
pray with fasting when he read the words of Prophet Jeremiah, who warned people
for their disobedience to the Lord and their sins many years ago. In his prayer
(Dan.9:4-20), Daniel never boasted of himself and blamed others for what had
happened to the Lord’s people. Instead, he confessed the sins of people against
God and his words. He identified himself with his people and said, “we have
sinned,” “We have been wicked,” “we have not listened,” and so on. Although he
lived a righteous life before God, he confessed people’s sins as his sin. As Daniel
confessed and prayed for his people, he remembered God’s righteousness and
mercies to save his people. He remembered that the same God who brought the rebellious
Israelites from Egypt was faithful to help his people even in exile. Daniel kept
God at the center of his prayer. As he pleaded for God’s mercies to his people,
he prayed, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but
because of your great mercy.” Daniel said of God’s character and reminded him
that the desolate city bears God’s name. He was focused on God and expressed
his urgency through short phrases, “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord,
hear and act!” God always answers such persistent prayers that centered on him.
In verse 20, we read that God answered Daniel even before he finished his prayer.
Such a time as
this, when people are looking for hope, remedy, and peace, we can find answers
to all the pressing questions of our time when we read the Bible. The Word of
God leads us to pray for our present scenario by humbling ourselves and
focusing on God alone. When we seek God and pray to him, he hears our prayers, forgives
us, and heals our nation (2 Chro.7:14). Are we ready to humble ourselves before
God and pray for our nation? Let us keep God the center of our lives and
prayers.
APPLICATION: The Word of God is given to me to know God’s
will and his plans for my life. As I read the bible, it prompts me to confess
my weaknesses and pray for God’s help to overcome my frailties. Jesus, in his
model prayer, has taught me how to keep God as the focus of my prayer
(Mt.6:9-13). My life and prayer should be God-oriented and God-centered.
PRAYER: Father God, we have come before you trusting
your righteousness, mercy, and grace. Lord, forgive our sins and make us whole.
During this uncertain time, thank you for the hope you give us through your
words. “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God,
do not delay,” for we are your people. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 334
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