#4 The Faithful REMNANTS Their SPIRITUALITY (Daniel 9)

We admire extemporaneous playing of the jazz musicians We admire extemporaneous playing of the jazz musicians We admire the improvisation of the resourceful survivors in the wild We admire the improvisation of the resourceful survivors in the wild We admire the artistic freedom a chef shows in preparing his favorite cuisine We admire the artistic freedom a chef shows in preparing his favorite cuisine We even admire Daniel’s impromptu show of courage and discernment! We even admire Daniel’s impromptu show of courage and discernment! What is less emphasized but more important is the behind-the-scene and on-going sacrifice and discipline! What is less emphasized but more important is the behind-the-scene and on-going sacrifice and discipline!

Daniel was not revered by the Jews as a prophet. His book is not placed in the “Prophets” but in the “Writing” section! Daniel was not revered by the Jews as a prophet. His book is not placed in the “Prophets” but in the “Writing” section! His stories and devotion are as inspiring as Job, Psalms, Proverbs & Ecclesiastes His stories and devotion are as inspiring as Job, Psalms, Proverbs & Ecclesiastes Daniel repeatedly shows weakness in receiving disturbing visions (7:15, 28; 8:17, 27; 9:20-21; 10:2-3; 7-10, 17) Daniel repeatedly shows weakness in receiving disturbing visions (7:15, 28; 8:17, 27; 9:20-21; 10:2-3; 7-10, 17) Like a well-trained and disciplined soldier, Daniel remains spiritually sharp, alert and sensitive at all times! Like a well-trained and disciplined soldier, Daniel remains spiritually sharp, alert and sensitive at all times!

Daniel is scripturally and spiritually sharp to know what is really kosher (1)! Daniel is scripturally and spiritually sharp to know what is really kosher (1)! Daniel has to be spiritually connected when he was called to interpret king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a lifetime (2) Daniel has to be spiritually connected when he was called to interpret king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a lifetime (2) Daniel has to be spiritually disciplined to keep praying 3x a day in his 80’s even when it was outlawed to do so (6) Daniel has to be spiritually disciplined to keep praying 3x a day in his 80’s even when it was outlawed to do so (6) Daniel has to be scripturally well versed to know the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years (9:2 Jer 25:11; 29:10) Daniel has to be scripturally well versed to know the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years (9:2 Jer 25:11; 29:10)

Remember ? Remember ? In Chapter 9, Daniel is already in his 80’s. He has served in Babylon’s palace > 60 years (2). He remembers the dream of successive kings. In Chapter 9, Daniel is already in his 80’s. He has served in Babylon’s palace > 60 years (2). He remembers the dream of successive kings. He saw the lowering and rise of flags. He is now serving the Medes… He saw the lowering and rise of flags. He is now serving the Medes… He knows Jeremiah’s 70 years of exile in Babylon is quickly ending… He knows Jeremiah’s 70 years of exile in Babylon is quickly ending… But what does it imply about Israel and the problem of Israel’s sins…!? But what does it imply about Israel and the problem of Israel’s sins…!?

I. Prayer WAITS (1-3) In the past 60+ years, Daniel did not complain about his plight. He didn’t even pray for Israel! Instead, he settled down peacefully in exile. He calmly and willingly served his captors! In the past 60+ years, Daniel did not complain about his plight. He didn’t even pray for Israel! Instead, he settled down peacefully in exile. He calmly and willingly served his captors! He diligently and patiently obeys God’s will (Jer 25:8-14; 29:4-9) He diligently and patiently obeys God’s will (Jer 25:8-14; 29:4-9) The pace, the intensity and the contents of Daniel’s prayers took a monumental change after 60+ years of “waiting” The pace, the intensity and the contents of Daniel’s prayers took a monumental change after 60+ years of “waiting”

II. Prayer SERVES (1-3) Daniel’s prayer ministry is purposeful, deliberate and involved: “turned to…pleaded with prayers and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth” Daniel’s prayer ministry is purposeful, deliberate and involved: “turned to…pleaded with prayers and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth” It results from an alert study of God’s Word! Why don’t we click? It results from an alert study of God’s Word! Why don’t we click? It is likely that Daniel finds his petition for Israel’s return more important than risking his life in the Lion’s den (6)! He couldn’t break this spiritual “habit”! It is likely that Daniel finds his petition for Israel’s return more important than risking his life in the Lion’s den (6)! He couldn’t break this spiritual “habit”!

III. Prayer CLEANSES Daniel confesses sins Daniel confesses sins We have sinned & done wrong (5, 15) We have sinned & done wrong (5, 15) Wicked, rebelled, turned away, not listened (6) Wicked, rebelled, turned away, not listened (6) Transgressed your law, turned away, refusing to obey (11, 14) Transgressed your law, turned away, refusing to obey (11, 14) No one can sin that readily after constantly getting involved in genuine and intense prayers of confession! No one can sin that readily after constantly getting involved in genuine and intense prayers of confession!

IV. Prayer ASKS Daniel petitions God for help Daniel petitions God for help … for restoration of temple (17) … for restoration of temple (17) … for mercy (18) … for mercy (18) … for forgiveness (20, 23) … for forgiveness (20, 23) Prayer reveals our cares and priorities! Prayer reveals our cares and priorities! Israel was exiled because of her sins (especially in idolatry). Was the 70 years of exile just punitive or reforming? Will Israel become a repeated offender? Israel was exiled because of her sins (especially in idolatry). Was the 70 years of exile just punitive or reforming? Will Israel become a repeated offender?

V. Prayer UNITES Daniel confesses on behalf of his leaders and people, cf. “we”! Daniel confesses on behalf of his leaders and people, cf. “we”! Instead of accusing one another in prayers, we embrace one another. We see ourselves as part of the problem! That’s the beginning of forgiveness! Instead of accusing one another in prayers, we embrace one another. We see ourselves as part of the problem! That’s the beginning of forgiveness! Prayer changes us from self-centred individuals to caring communities Prayer changes us from self-centred individuals to caring communities

VI. Prayer ANSWERS Gabriel brings “insight and understanding” to Daniel’s concerns about “sins and sin” Gabriel brings “insight and understanding” to Daniel’s concerns about “sins and sin” “Seventy sevens” to answer sin problem: “Seventy sevens” to answer sin problem: Not dates but assurances Not dates but assurances No more bandage solution to sin No more bandage solution to sin “finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up visions and prophecy, anoint the most high” (24) “finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up visions and prophecy, anoint the most high” (24)