O Lord, Bless Our People, Bless Our Land

JULY 3, 2022 STUDY NOTES DANIEL 9:15-19 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES O LORD, BLESS OUR PEOPLE, BLESS OUR LAND INTRODUCTION Did Daniel put his faith and trust in His “LORD?” Read Daniel 9 and count the number of times you read “God” or “Lord” Two different Hebrew words are translated “God,” you will read “God” 14 times Two different Hebrew words are translated “Lord,” you will read “Lord” 19 times Was Daniel aware of who he was talking too? Did he believe in his “GOD?” Daniel knew of God’s hand upon Israel in the past, he praised God for His mercy upon them He believed that God’s hand was still on them, and he prayed for God’s mercy to continue Note that Daniel’s prayer requested the mercy of God to be bestowed upon Israel The grace of God is God giving us what we do not deserve, God blessing us with His goodness The mercy of God is God not giving us what we do deserve, Daniel prays for mercy Daniel knew what Israel deserved, but he also knew God had an unfulfilled purpose for Israel He knew God had future-plans for Israel and Jerusalem, he prayed for Israel’s future with God Dan 9:15 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. Daniel has repeatedly confessed his sins and the sins of Israel in the previous verses He has stated that God is right when he judges the sins of Israel, Dan 9:7 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. And God is right when He blesses the obedience of Israel God is glorified in all that He does, His righteousness is revealed in all-of His acts Daniel refers to an example of God’s righteous actions which glorified His name in the past God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage and “gotten thee renown” Which manifested his power and brought glory to His name among the Gentile nations God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is mentioned over 100 times in the OT Identifying to all nations that Israel is God’s covenant people who will endure to the end Daniel’s reference to Israel’s Egyptian deliverance is a plea for God to again deliver Israel Daniel’s prayer is for God to now deliver Israel from their Babylonian captivity Even though Israel “had sinned” and “done wickedly” (verses 3-14) God’s forgiveness of Israel’s sins would glorify His power and His name once again Daniel now makes his first request unto the one he calls “our God” and “my God” Dan 9:16 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. “O Lord,” Daniel identifies his “Master,” He is the “Sovereign One,” He is in control He is the supreme authority with supernatural power, which has been manifested in the past Page 1 of 5 Daniel was saying, “Lord, I know that you can do what I ask,” you have done it before I know that whatever you do will be right, it will; be “according to all thy righteousness” “O Lord,” I am not asking you to do anything that would not honor your name I want you to be glorified through whatever you do, but Lord, I do plead with you “I beseech thee,” was a polite request, “please Lord,” and Daniel begins his requests Lord, turn from your “anger,” Daniel knew that God had turned from His anger before, Psa 78:38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. (Same word as “fury”) God’s compassion often fell upon Israel, and he forgave them, He is the merciful God, Psa 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Israel often experienced God’s mercy, how often have we experienced it? We can all testify to the truth that God is merciful and gracious, Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (when we were unlovable) How often could God have been angry with us and refused to forgive us of our sins? Praise God for, 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (His anger and fury turned away) Daniel admitted that Israel deserved the anger of God to fall upon them But Daniel prayed, Lord please turn away your fury from Israel Please turn away your fury from “thy city Jerusalem,” Jerusalem is God’s unique city When Christ returns the city of Jerusalem will be known as the city of God, Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. John saw the river from which both spiritual and physical blessings will flow, Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. That is why it will be called, “the holy place,” from which rivers of blessing will flow, Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. Jerusalem will be glad, and we will be glad that we are in Jerusalem with God Daniel prayed for God’s anger to be turned from “thy holy mountain,” which is “Mount Zion” Mt. Zion is where the Lord has put His name and chosen to reign, Psa 68:16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. The hill that the Lord will dwell in forever is “Mt. Zion,” Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. The day is going to come when many will come to Mount Zion, Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (During the Millennium) Jerusalem will be the capital of the millennial earth, Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Jerusalem will be the center of worship, Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Daniel prayed for “thy city,” in verse 16, in verse 17 he prays for “thy sanctuary” In verse 18, Daniel prayed for “the city which is called by thy name” In verse 19, Daniel prayed for “thy city and thy people” which “are called by thy name” Page 2 of 5 We will find that God answered every prayer request of Daniel, Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. We can see why Daniel’s prayer for Israel and Jerusalem was so important It goes beyond the present problem that existed at the time of Daniel The present problem was the sins and iniquities of the “fathers” of Israel God’s people that are called upon to glorify God had become a “reproach” Their actions had brought shame and disgrace upon that which was of God According to Ezekiel, Israel gave God’s enemies an opportunity to profane His name, Eze 36:20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Daniel now prays for God to be glorified through His people Dan 9:17 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. “Now therefore,” Daniel prays for God’s mercy and forgiveness to be bestowed upon Israel Daniel previously called the prophets “servants” of God, now he calls himself a servant He identifies himself as a “servant” of God who is praying and pleading unto his God Christians, we are the servants of God for this day, we must be praying and seeking God’s will Daniel prays for God’s face to “shine upon the sanctuary,” which is the temple in Jerusalem His prayer is for God’s presence to shine again in the sanctuary, for His presence to be known The “sanctuary” was the place set aside, set apart, and consecrated as sacred and holy It was Israel’s sanctuary of worship where offerings and sacrifices were made unto the Lord In the sanctuary was the altar of sacrifice, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place Through which God manifested Himself, Daniel’s prayer was for Israel to again glorify God The problem was the sanctuary “is desolate,” when Jerusalem fell the temple was torn apart Daniel prayed, “Lord, do it for your sake,” his desire was for God to be glorified We are not to pray for God to do a great work in us so that we will be known as great We must pray that God works in us in-order to bring glory unto God and not for self-glory Daniel again identifies His God, He is the righteous God, Daniel agrees with the Psalmist, Psa 111:3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. All of which will be revealed as God fulfills His covenants and promises to Israel Dan 9:18 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. Interwoven within Daniel’s prayer is confession of sin and praise unto God “O my God, incline thine ear, and hear,” his request is based upon who God is: You are the “awesome God” (vs 4) You are the “promise keeping God” (vs 4) You are the “righteous God” (vs 7) You are the “God of forgiveness” (vs 9) You are righteous in all that you do (vs. 14) You are the “God of deliverance” (vs 15) You are the “God of mercy” (vs 18) You are “my God” (vs 18) Please listen to my plea, and hear my prayer, David said the same thing, Psa 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. Daniel prayed for Israel, give attention to “our desolations,” we are wasted people Daniel prayed for “the city which is called by thy name,” which is also desolate Daniel’s plea was not on any merit of his own, not according to his righteousness His plea was not according to the righteousness of Israel Page 3 of 5 Daniel’s request is not based upon what he thinks he or Israel deserves Daniel presents his request to the God of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness Sometimes people approach God demanding their rights, telling God who they are God answers our prayers because of Christ and who we are in Christ, 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Prayer requests should always be in the “name of Jesus,” based upon who He is It is because of Christ that we can draw near to the presence of God, Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Cleansed by the blood of Jesus) When we pray for self, we must plead for the mercy of God to be bestowed upon us When we pray for America, we must plead for the mercy of God to be bestowed upon us Dan 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. Three times Daniel repeats, “O Lord, O Lord, O Lord,” meaning “My Master” Master “hear,” Daniel could call upon the Lord to hear, the God of mercy hears our prayers Daniel’s prayer is an example of what our prayers should be, the prayer that God will hear Our prayers must be God-centered and not self-centered, praying for God’s will to be our will Daniel had followed the instructions of the Psalmist, Psa 66:17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. In prayer Daniel’s tongue had praised God and exalted the name of God, “O Lord” (3 times) Daniel had looked upon himself and his people, he had confessed sins, which is a must, Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Daniel believed that God can and will hear, Psa 66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. He believed God would open His ears through the mercy of His heart, Psa 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Daniel called upon the Lord to “forgive,” pardon your people, spare us, according to your mercy “O Lord, hearken and do,” Master, don’t just listen, please take-action, do something for us “Defer not,” don’t hesitate, don’t delay, Daniel was not demanding God to do it Daniel’s way Listen to his next words, “for thine own sake,” answer according to who you are, “O Lord” Answer according to your purpose, your plan, and your will According to whatever your will is for your “city,” your “people,” and your “name” Jerusalem is the city of God, the holy city, the city of holiness, which will be revealed, Eze 48:35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. (The name of the millennial city will be, “The LORD is there”) And God’s people will be there, and they will shout, Psa 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. It will be the city of beauty and joy, Psa 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Because the “The LORD is there,” Jerusalem is the city of the great king, Mat 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Jerusalem is the place God has chosen for His “name” to dwell, Neh 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. CONCLUSION How important is the future of the nation Israel, Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, and the Temple? Page 4 of 5 Important enough for Daniel to study and pray about Daniel’s prayer is amazing in many ways, it is an example of the way we are to pray God is to be identified, God is to be praised, our desire should be to glorify God An example of that which we are to pray for, forgiveness of sins and daily commitment to Christ God answers Daniel’s prayer and reveals to Daniel the vision of the “Seventy Weeks” (9:20-27) One of the most important prophecies found in the OT for us to learn and understand We must learn that we need to live for Jesus today, we need Jesus for today and the future Listen to the song and think of Daniel’s prayer Page 5 of 5