Introduction

I will be doing a series from the Book of Daniel. I believe it will be very useful to us at this time of a global health crisis.

Daniel & his friends/colleagues were caught up in a crisis of sorts back in their own day: the loss of their freedom & had to live & flourish under a different atmosphere.

Key Points from Chapter 9

• Darius the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede, was now king.
• Daniel understood from his research of the books, the number of years according to God’s word which came to Jeremiah the prophet, it would be before the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, which was 70 years.
• As a result of this, he decided to focus on God, with prayer and supplications, fasting with sackcloth and ashes.
• Be sure to read the whole of chapter 9 in the Bible, to fully understand how Daniel prayed and what he prayed about.
• While he was praying, the Angel Gabriel who he had seen in an earlier vision appeared to him. Gabriel told Daniel he had come to give him wisdom and understanding.
• He told him he was greatly beloved. He then explained to him the time left to complete the transgression and for reconciliation to occur, and that Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

Concluding Thoughts

• We see more of Daniel’s character here. He was a man who was desirous of knowledge, including that concerning God’s word and his people, and he was diligent and methodical about it.
• He followed on with prayers. Even though he knew what was written according to the prophet, he still nevertheless prayed to God for forgiveness of the transgressions of his people.
• He was an intercessor. Daniel lived for more than himself. He prayed methodically, outlining what had gone wrong carefully, and interceding thereon. He also praised God for his goodness and righteousness.
• If he was searching for knowledge about the length of the desolation of Jerusalem according to the prophet, it most likely means a part of his heart longed for home. He was not carried away with Babylon.
• Even though Daniel was still in captivity, he always made out time to pray. A crisis should never prevent us from praying.
• The Angel, Gabriel told Daniel that he was greatly beloved. God loved Daniel.

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O.J