A Call to Humble Confession and Divine Mercy
"Daniel 9: 3-19: 3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 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. 19 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." - Daniel 9:3-19
In the book of Daniel, we encounter a profound petition that reverberates with themes of humility, confession, and the necessity of divine mercy. Daniel 9:3-19 presents a passionate prayer rooted in recognition of sin and the seeking of God's grace. As we delve into these verses, we can extract deep insights into our spiritual posture before a righteous God.
In verse 3, Daniel states, "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes." This verse serves as an exemplary model for us today, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in prayer. Daniel did not approach God casually; rather, he set his face to seek the Lord earnestly. The inclusion of fasting, sackcloth, and ashes symbolizes deep repentance and humility before God. It brings to light a critical aspect of prayer: that it is not merely about articulating requests, but about aligning our hearts with God's will, often necessitating a posture of humility and dependence.
As we dissect his prayer in verses 4-14, we witness Daniel’s earnest confession. He identifies both personal ("We have sinned") and corporate transgressions (“yesterday, Israel has transgressed thy law”). He acknowledges God’s righteousness and faithfulness while also recognizing the extent of Israel's failings. Notably, in verse 9, he declares, "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him." Here lies the crux of Daniel's prayer and, indeed, the core of our approach to God: while we are inherently flawed, God’s nature is to forgive and be merciful.
Confession sometimes carries a weight of shame, but Daniel reframes our understanding of this act. Recognizing sin is not meant to produce despair but to illuminate our need for God’s grace. In verse 8, Daniel boldly states that "to us belongeth confusion of face," recognizing the consequences of straying from God’s precepts. As we navigate our spiritual journeys, can we likewise acknowledge our failings before God without fear, placing our trust in His readiness to forgive?
In verses 15-19, Daniel recounts God’s might and past deliverance, pleading based not on righteousness but on God's great mercies. He recalls how God brought Israel out of Egypt and asks Him to "hear the prayer of thy servant" (v. 17). This historical reminder serves to bolster our faith in God’s character. It reassures us that God who acted in the past is still present and active today. The urgency in Daniel’s plea highlights a decision we must make daily: to invite God's transformative presence into our desolate situations.
Daniel’s call for God to "cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate" (v. 17) resonates deeply within our hearts. Often, we may feel desolate—spiritually, emotionally, or relationally. In those moments of desolation, our approach must mirror Daniel’s; we seek God's face, long for His light, and appeal for His forgiveness and healing. He implores, "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do" (v. 19), emphasizing the deep need for God’s immediate involvement in our lives.
In conclusion, Daniel 9:3-19 beckons us to reflect on our lives and communities, to seek God earnestly, to confess our sins fearlessly, and to rest in His merciful nature. As we engage in prayer, let us embrace the transformative power of humility, knowing that it leads us closer to our Creator. Let us take to heart Daniel's example of fervent prayer, aligning our requests with the understanding of His grace and mercy that knows no bounds. As we approach God, may we also be agents of His grace, extending forgiveness to others as we have received it. May our lives reflect His love, and may we always turn back to Him with sincere hearts.
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Daniel 9:3-19 Artwork
"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."" - Daniel 9:3-19
Daniel 9:3-19 - "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.""
Daniel 3:9 - "They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever."
Daniel 9:3 - "¶ And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:"
Daniel 2:19 - "¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven."
"They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever." - Daniel 3:9
Daniel 9:19 - "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."
Daniel 3:19 - "¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated."
"¶ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." - Daniel 2:19
Daniel 1:9 - "Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs."
"¶ And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:" - Daniel 9:3
Daniel 1:9
Daniel 12:9 - "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
Daniel 1:19 - "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king."
Daniel 7: 9-10
Daniel 7:9-10
Daniel 7:9-10
Daniel 7:9-10
Daniel 3:1
Daniel 5:3
Daniel 3:28
Daniel 3:25
Daniel 6:3-4 - "Daniel 6:3-4: Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."
Daniel 9:22 - "And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding."
Daniel 9:9 - "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;"
Daniel 4:1-3
Daniel 6:9 - "Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree."
Daniel 6:3 - "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."
Daniel 6:19 - "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions."
Daniel 9:2 - "In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem."