As Daniel prayed to God in chapter 9 of the book of Daniel, verses 15-19 bring us to what some might call “the ask”. While still acknowledging the people’s failures, Daniel asked for God’s mercy.
In my simple terms, mercy is not getting punishment that we deserve. It is at the very foundation of the Christian faith is that God was merciful and that Jesus provided a means for us to not endure the eternal separation from God that our sins had earned for us.
Centuries before Jesus was born (even though God’s plan had been prophesied and was well underway), Daniel knew that his people didn’t deserve to be blessed for their righteousness…because they weren’t righteous. God’s favor – or even a rebuilding of Jerusalem after the 70 years mentioned by Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 25:8-14 and Jeremiah 29:10-14) – was not something that the people had earned. They didn’t put in 70 years of perfect behavior to somehow compel God to restore them. Even after 70 years, they still sinned.
However, Daniel was still willing to call out to God for mercy.
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.”
Daniel 9:19 NIV
In verse 19, Daniel asks God for three specific things:
- Listen (or “hear” [NASB])
- Forgive
- Act (or “take action” [NASB])
Note that Daniel doesn’t seem to be asking God for personal blessings. Perhaps Daniel will never make it back to Jerusalem. However, Daniel seeks the restoration of a city and a people who will bring honor to God as a result of God’s blessing on them.
If the kings of Babylon (along with Media, Persia, and other nations) thought that their gods were superior to the God of the Jewish people, Daniel wants the power of the true God to be shown to the world. In fact, it was the God of the Jewish people – the God of the universe – who allowed foreign nations to take power in the first place, for a greater purpose. And, it was that same God who would punish them – in the long run – for their sins.
God provided an amazing answer to Daniel’s prayer (and you’re welcome to keep reading in Daniel 9 to learn about it), but before we get to that next time, let’s remember that (as stated well by Mangano, p.271, cited below) God’s blessings are a result of His mercy, and not our merit.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 30, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, June 30, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Esther & Daniel, by Mark Mangano. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
- The Bible and Archaeology, by J.A. Thompson, © 1962, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., p.166-171.
- The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms…, by Sir Isaac Newton, London, 1728.
- Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John, by Sir Isaac Newton, London, 1733.
Those Who Sin Differently 