I read through the chapter of the week, Daniel 9. I studied. I read commentaries. I got all excited about the prophecy that has been fulfilled. The precision and certainty of God’s word. Amazed again with the God of the Word and the word of God. So grateful for the people who were obedient and faithful to the Lord. People like Daniel who were wise, who read, who prayed, who listened and then shared the visions and words that God gave him. Out of a very complex chapter I came to a very simple conclusion. Let me give a brief overview of the chapter first.
Daniel was paying attention. He knew the prophecy that had been given about Jerusalem. He was living in exile from that very place and he knew that maybe he was there for such a time as this, like Esther he might be in this time in this place to save God’s people, His temple, and His city. There was a very critical change in leadership. The 70 year clock is ticking. So what does Daniel do?
Daniel prayed. It is as if he knew this was all bigger than him, and needed wisdom and direction from God. He needed to plea on the behalf of God’s people. He needed to empty himself, lest he be in God’s way.
Daniel prayed in such a way that put me in mind of another prayer.
Daniel: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, …”
Jesus: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, …”
Daniel: “who keeps his covenant of love with all who obey…
Jesus: “thy kingdom come, thy will be done…
Daniel: “we have sinned and done wrong…”
Jesus: “forgive our debts…..”
Daniel: “hear our prayers, for Your sake….”
Jesus: “for thine is the kingdom….”
As Daniel is praying confessing the sin of the nation and begging for God’s merciful restoration verse 21 “Yea, while I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me…” [KJV] Woah. I mentioned earlier about Daniel being called “for such a time as this” here is the instant confirmation that Daniel’s prayer was right in every way.
The “insight and understanding” comes to Daniel in the following few verses. Here is a nice link to help you sort out the 70 sevens. In brief, the 69 of the 70 “7-year periods” have passed. All of that prophecy from Daniel’s time to Jesus has been fulfilled. We are on hold until the final 7 comes to pass when “He (the antichrist) will confirm a covenant with many for one seven.” Without getting deeply into end times and looking at prophecy and where the world is right now, I can simply say with confidence, we are closer. The clock is ticking, and has been for nearly 2000 years. I personally sense the groundwork being laid now, the preparations may take far more years than I have yet to live but the 70th seven is coming. This is true. Here is another link to read more.
What God said to me was very simple.
- Daniel turned to the Lord and prayed. Not just a quick prayer in passing. He fasted, humbled himself, and prayed. I don’t know that he had any intention of stopping his prayer until he heard from God.
Daniel could see the “stars aligning”, if you will, for something very big on the horizon. He didn’t get panicky. He didn’t put together a plan on his own. He didn’t even call together a counsel. He prayed.
It appears as though there is something big brewing in 2021. I want find out what the plan is. I want to discover the truth. I want to panic. I want to put my head in the sand. I want to get a group of like-minded people together and discuss our options. What I am facing today is NOTHING compared to Daniel’s circumstances. Nothing.
Let’s just “dial it down” a bit and say I am thinking of a job change? How about a move? What about going back to school? What about the kids? There are so many “moments” that we face. A fork in the road, a pivotal decision to make. What should we do?
God is convicting me that I need to humble myself and turn to him in prayer. I am recommending that Daniel’s way is the best way. I’m not going to promise that God will send His A #1 messenger to give instant understanding, but I know that the time you spend with God will produce much more than you are seeking.
I know that is what I need to do and am committing myself to do so. God will send what ever messenger, message, assurance, or wisdom that is needed. We can all trust in that.