Bible Pathway - September 17
Read Daniel 7 – 9
Highlights:
Daniel sees future (7:1-14)! Vision explained (7:15-28). Sees end of time (8:1-14). Vision explained (8:19-27). Daniel confesses and pleads (9:4,16,20).
O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. O LORD, hear; O LORD, forgive; O LORD, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine Own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name (Dan. 9:18-19).
Here we find Daniel praying a very eloquent and beautiful prayer on behalf of Israel. Israel had experienced many trials and tribulations. This is not to say that the people of Israel had not brought most of these on themselves. We have already discussed, several times, the course of spiritual idolatry that Israel had followed.
At times, the people of Israel would follow the Lord. They would obey the laws and precepts of God. The Lord's blessings would be upon His people in honor of their obedience to Him. Thus we see the importance of obedience to God, which is conveyed in the Word of God time and time again. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness (Rom. 6:16)?
There were times also when Israel would turn her back on God, turning instead to false gods. Many times these would be the false gods of the heathen nations that bordered Israel. The Word of God is clear as to how God views this sinful practice of following false gods and about His opinions of those who push the message of them. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction (2 Pet. 2:1).
Israel had experienced days such as these right before she was conquered by Babylon and taken into captivity. Since that time, even her captors had been defeated by the Medes and Persians. Israel was truly in a bad spot with most of her brightest sons serving this foreign power.
We know how Israel got into this situation, but how does she get out? How does anyone get out of such an overwhelming situation? That answer should come easily. The obvious answer is the Lord.
If, like Israel, we bring ourselves to terrible times in life by getting off the path God has us on, the way of escape should seem obvious. We must pray as Daniel prayed.
Daniel prayed a prayer of repentance. He acknowledged that the ways of the Lord were not followed. He praised the Lord for who He is and what He had done. He begged God to hear the prayer that he prayed. He did his best to remind God that these were His chosen people. He asked the Lord to give them the mercy that they so desperately needed.
The Lord hears the prayers of His people. If repentance is sincere, deliverance will come in one fashion or another.
If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chr. 7:14).
Thought for Today:
Does your life testify: This world is not my home, I'm just passing through?
Christ Revealed:
As the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13-14). The Truth of this vision was confirmed by our Lord as He spoke of His promised return. They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30).
Word Study:
7:25 wear out, to persecute with purpose of entire annihilation; 7:28 cogitations much troubled, thoughts much bewildered; 8:7 choler, brutal rage; 8:24 wonderfully, with astonishing success; 9:7 confusion of faces, look of shame; 9:25 wall, moat; 9:26 cut off, put to death.
Prayer Suggestion: Do not be fearful or live in dread of what might happen; trust the Lord to take care of you (Ps. 112:7).
Optional Reading: Revelation 22
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:10
