JUL 27

Daniel 9:1-27
Memorise Deuteronomy 28:64-68
“I prayed unto the LORD my God”

WHAT WAS DANIEL PRAYING FOR?

How did Daniel approach the Lord in that hour of transition, waiting for the coming of a new Day? He sets us the example by earnest prayer and supplication, “with fasting and sackcloth and ashes” (v 3). He confessed first his sins and then the sins of his people, accepting the lot of their captivity as righteous judgment from God’s Hand because they had broken the Law which Moses gave to their fathers. Their exile and wanderings to many foreign countries with the desolation of Jerusalem were a “curse poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses” (v 11). This curse is given in Deuteronomy 28 which climaxes as follows: “And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you” (Deuteronomy 28:64-68). It was clear that Israel was undergoing her trials because of her departure from God’s laws.

Today Israel is returned to her homeland. She has won numerous wars against her Arab neighbours, but has been plagued by the Palestinians whose territories Israel had seized in the Six Day War (1967). Numerous efforts are made in trying to broker peace with them. Will a new day of peace and prosperity dawn on Israel? According to prophecy, not until the Messiah comes. The need of Israel to humble herself in prayer and supplication to God of their Fathers is far greater than what they are trying to achieve by diplomacy. This formula is always right, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).

Thought: Man will have no peace until he first makes peace with God (Romans 5:1).
Prayer: O Lord God, I want to make peace with Thee. I believe in Thy Son Jesus Christ who died for me and rose from the dead. Forgive me of my sins.