May 16, 2021

DANIEL’S CRY FOR MERCY

May 16, 2021

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

As a child, did you ever wish upon a star? Those childhood wishes probably would reveal much about what you were like! Can you share?

Daniel was a young Israelite youth when Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land of Judah and took many Jewish boys captive to serve in his kingdom. By God’s grace, as he aged, Daniel became respected by the king and lived as an honored citizen for many years in Babylon. We read the book of Daniel this past week while reading the Bible through in the first six months of 2021 and find his life amazing. Daniel had many visions and extraordinary moments in his life as he stayed true to the Lord God. His writings not only reveal many prophecies that were fulfilled in Israel in OT times but also contain many far-reaching events that have yet to happen. Daniel was truly a man “greatly beloved” by God (Daniel 10:11)!

Focal Passage: The Book of Daniel

Know where deliverance comes from

  • Read Daniel 9:3a. Why was it astounding that Daniel turned to God when he needed answers to Jeremiah’s writings? How long had he been in Babylon by this time? What were some reasons that made his allegiance to God a marvel?
  • Read Hebrews 11:6. What must be in the heart before one can come to God with prayer? What did it mean for Daniel to prostrate himself in the act of humility and mourning?

Make things right with Him

  • Read Dan. 9:4. Why did Daniel begin his prayer with praise? What were the attributes he was praising God for? Explain why you think Daniel knew God well.
  • Read verse 5. Why does he say “we” as he aligns himself with his nation? Read Nehemiah 1:4-6a. What is strikingly similar in both passages?
  • Read Neh. 1:6b-7. How was Nehemiah’s act of identifying with the sins of his country the same as Daniel’s?
  • When you pray for America in this year of 2021, having seen the corruption and wickedness that is prevalent, why is it necessary for you to confess the sins of the USA by nationality, rather than personally?

 Just listen

  • Read Dan. 9:6-7. Whom had the people closed their ears to, that caused their country to be taken into captivity? How long was the captivity for?
  • What are some ways we have in the world today of hearing from God? How many do you take advantage of? Read Malachi 1:13a. Do you know anyone who attends church but resents it? How can you help them or love them?
  • How can you form the habit of listening to God?

Righteousness belongs to Him

  • Read Dan. 9:18-19a. Why did Daniel appeal to the Lord to act in compassion, rather than reciting his righteous acts?
  • Read Jeremiah 33:3. Does the knowledge that Daniel was reading and familiar with Jeremiah’s writings impact you in any way (see Dan. 9:2)?

Steps for putting Daniel 9:19a into practice:

  • Lord, hear! Cry out to God whenever you have a choice. Everything you do will be done for your good or the good of someone else. Choose to love them!
  • Lord, forgive! Go from praise to confession and repentance, for “there is no one who does not sin” (Eccl. 7:20). Be “broken and contrite” (Psalm 51:17).
  • Lord, listen! Let your requests, desires, and your needs be known to God and honor Him by being still and waiting for Him to commune with you (Psa. 46:10a).
  • Lord, act! When you call on God, you will see Him act on your behalf, and you will begin to understand what a living hope He is (Romans 10:14)!

Close

There are so many organizations that use the phrase, “Changing ____ One ___ at a Time!” Or they might say, how do you climb a mountain? One step at a time. The possible options are endless, but the point is always the same: the initial beginning requires just one step, one action, one moment in time when you choose to begin your goal. Some days you may feel as if you are taking the proverbial three steps forward, two steps backward, but you will make progress.

What is the goal for all of us? As we learned recently, it is “to bring glory to God and enjoy Him forever.” If we put the principles in verse 19a into action, we will see God act in our lives, and we will have an increase of faith that will amaze us. It takes commitment to begin those steps, and discipline to continue taking them, especially when you feel like quitting.

Daniel could have quit! Who would have blamed him? He had no parents, no teachers, or no insulated life that was able to shelter him from the world in Babylon into which he was thrust. Can you imagine a young teen being torn from his family and homeland, yet asserting himself with such character that the king of a country would see something extraordinary in his life? Over the years he saw God act in ways we never will: seeing his friends come out of a fiery furnace with joy, himself being thrown into a den of lions and surviving, interpreting dreams and visions, even seeing King Nebuchadnezzar graze for seven years and then returned to his throne! Daniel’s prophecies are not over—they are still being fulfilled today. Wouldn’t it be so awesome to someday hear God say of us as He did of Daniel, “You are greatly beloved”!

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