Daniel #09: an exposition of Daniel 9:1-19. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 17, 2013.
Intro:
What do you do when things get confusing? When your world gets turned upside down? Where do you turn when life is overwhelming? The Bible says we are more than conquerors through Christ. We are assured that in the face of our greatest temptation our God will provide the way of escape so that we are able to stand. The Lord Jesus is our peace. He said, “Come to me all of you who are weak and heavy-burdened…you will find rest for your soul.” Paul says the peace of God passes understanding. Yet there are “un-peaceful,” chaotic days. There are times when my faith wavers. Times when life is more than I can handle. What then? He was an extraordinary man living in chaotic times. Ripped from his homeland as a teenager he lived seven decades in a foreign land, serving pagan kings. Seven decades in a land where people were commanded to bow to a statue of gold or face certain death. A land where he is told do not seek your God for the next 30 days or you will be fed to the lions. Yet he remained faithful to God and faithful to the king. 70 years in the public eye yet when his detractors sought to frame him they had nothing they could use! There was no basis for an accusation. He was a man of character, insight and profound wisdom. How is that? What was it about Daniel that enable him to stand tall in the midst of chaos? How is it Daniel stood firm while the world crumbled around him? We have a clue in Daniel 6:10:
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Daniel was a man of prayer. When I say “prayer” I mean communion with God. There was a depth of knowledge and experience born out of abiding in God’s presence. In chapter 9 the curtain is pulled back and we get a glimpse of Daniel’s prayer life. Our text this morning is found in the ninth chapter of Daniel.
Text: Daniel 9:1-19
In chapter 7, Daniel is given a disturbing vision. The winds blow across the great sea and out of the sea arises 4 terrifying beast. Out of the chaos came 4 kingdoms each more terrifying then the one before. It was clear, there are troubling days to come. In chapter 8, two years later, he is given another vision. This vision focused in on the 2nd and 3rd beasts. That vision warned of a coming persecution that would be visited on the people of God. A terrifying day of wrath in which the worship of God would be suspended, the temple desecrated and widespread destruction. Our text is Daniel’s response to that vision.
The ram of chapter 8 has come to power. Babylon is no more. The events are beginning to unfold. Daniel’s response is to search the Word of God and to pray.
As we work our way through this text we learn that…
Thesis: In times of confusion, uncertainty and doubt God’s people find peace through believing prayer.
I want to point out 4 principles of believing prayer from this chapter.
- Believing prayer is anchored in the Word of God. (9:1-3)
- Believing prayer unflinchingly confesses sin. (9:4-11)
- Believing prayer boldly exalts God’s righteousness. (9:11-14)
- Believing prayer pleads for mercy on the basis of God’s covenant love. (9:15-19)
Conclusion:
Ultimately Daniel’s concern was for the glory of God and the honor of His name.
In times of confusion, uncertainty and doubt God’s people find peace through believing prayer.
Such prayer:
- is anchored in the Word of God. (9:1-3)
- unflinchingly confesses sin. (9:4-11)
- exalts God’s righteousness. (9:11-14)
- pleads for mercy on the basis of God’s covenant love. (9:15-19)