Daniel 9 (4)

Introduction
Daniel acknowledges the sovereignty and justice of God in Israel’s being taken captive to Babylon. But he was not content to leave things this way. Instead, he pleaded with God to do what only He can do, and bring revival to the people of Israel.

Read Deuteronomy 4.5-9.

Read Daniel 9.14-19.

Think it through.
1.  One of the signs that God’s judgment has begun to fall upon His people is what Daniel indicated at the end of verse 16: “Your people are a reproach to all those around us.” What does this mean? What would this look like in our day? How does this compare with what we read in Deuteronomy 4.5-9? What makes God’s people become a reproach to all those around them? Should we find this to be true, what can we do about it?

2.  The focus on Daniel’s prayer in verse 17 turned from confession and repentance to seeking the Lord for revival. Meditate on the following passages: Numbers 6.22-27; Psalm 67.1, 2; Psalm 119.135; and Ezekiel 39.29. What does it mean for God’s face to “shine upon” His people (Dan. 9.17)? What does Daniel want God to do? Do you suppose Daniel’s prayer may have had anything to do with the decision Cyrus made in Ezra 1.1-4? Do you suppose your prayers for God’s people today might result in His beginning to shine His face on us again? Explain.

Meditate.
“This appeal is couched in anthropomorphic language, with the implication that whenever our prayers are heard, God seems to incline his ear; and whenever God deigns to have regard to us, he appears to open his eyes; but whenever he turns his face away, we appear to be unworthy of attention either from his eyes or his ears.” Jerome (347-420 AD)

Yet you do not have because you do not ask. James 4.2

Father, we have become a reproach and a byword to our neighbors, because we have failed to keep Your Word in all things. Let Your face shine on us again, Lord, and today use me to…

Pray Psalm 126.5, 6.
One way we “sow” to the Spirit is by our prayers. Weep for the sad state of Christ’s Church in our day, and plead with God for revival.

Psalm 126.4-6 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns! )
Restore our fortunes, Lord our King!
Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing
Who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow
And cast their seed on every hand,
With joy shall reach their heav’nly home,
And bring the harvest of their land.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.