Year 6, Day 343: Daniel 9

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Daniel’s prayer is inspiring.  It is also humbling.  There’s much we can learn here.

Daniel’s prayer is inspiring because we know that it is heard.  Look at what Gabriel comes and says to Daniel.  As soon as he started praying, a word was dispatched.  As soon as Daniel started to pray, God sent word to Him.  That’s pretty impressive.

Mind you, I’m not trying to make it about Daniel at all.  Daniel’s prayer isn’t answered because Daniel is awesome.  Daniel’s prayer is answered because it is an important question and it needs to be dealt with.  Daniel is chosen as the recipient, though, because Daniel can be trusted with the answer.  God does have a plan.  His Messiah will come.  The exile will end.  God has not abandoned them.  All of these messages and more are send to Daniel to be spread among the people.

Daniel’s prayer is also humbling.  Do you hear what makes up the vast majority of Daniel’s prayer?  Daniel’s prayer can be primarily identified with the idea of humbleness.  Daniel’s prayer is confessional.  Daniel admits the sin of the people.  He doesn’t hide it, bury it, or justify it.  He acknowledges it and asks God to make it right.  Daniel even acknowledges that he can ask only because of the gracious nature of God rather and not upon the righteousness – or lack thereof – of the people.

This is a very confessional prayer.  I have got to believe that a prayer like this says much about the person who is praying.  It takes a humble man to give a genuinely humble prayer.  Again, this shows us why Daniel can be trusted with the message.

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