Daniel Unlocked #54. Daniel’s Prayer Continued. Gabriel Arrives with the Answer!
As we noted yesterday, Daniel identified the problem of Israel’s sin due to their law breaking. The New Testament identifies sin as being the same problem. Paul had so eloquently declared in one of the most important pieces of literature ever written, “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” Romans 3:19-20. But then he throws in the good news, Christ Took Our Punishment, “But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 3 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:21-24 NLT. In case you are thinking that lets us of the hook from keeping the law, Paul rounds out Romans 3 by saying, “Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.” V31. The KJV version of that (which I memorized 5 decades or more ago puts it like this “Do we therefore make void the law through faith? God forbid, instead we establish the law.”
In identifying Israel’s problem Daniel didn’t ask for the Lord to take away the evil empires, he pleaded to God for forgiveness! “Turn Your anger and fury away from us, because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers.”
Sometimes we get lost in the situation and forget Who it is that we are living for!
Daniel was despaired and troubled by what was happening to Israel, but he knew why, and he went to the true source and recognized the true problem!
God sends an answer to Daniel’s prayer, immediately! While Daniel prayed Gabriel came from the face of God and touched him and began to inform Daniel of the answer to his pleading! This is important, the answer to his prayer was given to Daniel right away, but the actual time it happens is in the future and he would not see it. God answers Daniel’ prayer with hope and promises! This hope is established and set and is not something that is weighing in the balance! It is decreed by the Maker of all things, by the Author and Finisher, The Beginning and The End!
How many times have you prayed when things are going good in your life, “Lord, let your fury and anger be turned away from us!”? Daniel was living well and had power, but he knew what this captivity was all about! Though he saw not its conclusion Jesus was the promise given to Daniel and us. Is that enough for you? Is the grace of Jesus Christ sufficient for you in your time of trouble?
If, and only if, we understand our peril, which is with God not man, then Jesus will be enough! But if our troubles are in the world then the world is all we will get! We have a promise and a hope, that should be the anchor for our souls, and we do not have to be in fear of things to come or things that are. We have an assurance that is in Jesus Christ, that we don’t have to be dictated to by what is going on around us, but just by the assurance that we have in Jesus Christ!