Believing

Daniel 9:1-3 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom, 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
 
NOW we return to the time of Darius’ rule as first recorded in Daniel 6. We have read prophetic visions of times future to Daniel’s life. Daniel now responds to other prophets to know the time of Israel’s exile.
    The wise Daniel knew Jeremiah prophesied the length of the exile: Jeremiah 25:11 “This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever.” It has been 67 years since Nebuchadnezzar brought Daniel and the Jews to Babylon. The time is near.
    Further, Isaiah foretold Cyrus would allow the Jews’ return: Isaiah 44:28 who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’” Isn’t this remarkable?
    Daniel responds in faith. We know this because he turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. The one who prayed for understanding of dreams and visions has experienced God’s personal response to his prayers. He has faithfully prayed to the point of being condemned to die in a lions’ den. He has witnessed heaven’s glory. The man knows how to pray, and he knows prayer’s power.
    Daniel wears the outward sign of humility because his heart is humble to seek God. Daniel fasts because he hungers for God’s power to redeem his people. The agony of exile is nearly done. It is time to seek the Lord for his wisdom to live faithfully under the sovereign Lord’s authority. Daniel and his friends have had remarkable experiences to see God’s power over those 67 years. Daniel prays because he knows God will faithfully answer prayers to fulfill his Word.
    We, too, know God’s prophecies for his church. Are we praying for God’s will to be done?  
 
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”