WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An
international Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday January 21, 2018
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PRAYER
FOR AN OBEDIENT FAITH
(GOD
hears and acts on the prayers of the righteous)
(Daniel
9:1-19)
In 539
B.C., 66 years after Daniel had been taken into Babylonian exile by King
Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, at age 62, overthrew Nebuchadnezzar’s
successor, King Belshazzar, in a coupe that launched the beginning of the “Medo-Persian
Dynasty”. It was an event that had been revealed to the Belshazzar, in fact, on
the night of his death, through Daniel’s interpretation of his, now famous,
“Handwriting on the Wall” dream (Daniel 5:13-31).
Moved by the
Medo-Persian’s victory over the Babylonians, Daniel searched the Scriptures to
try and clearly understand this momentous event of which he had so obviously
played a role in. He needed to know just how this event would affect himself
and his people in the near future. He already understood that Darius’ victory
was a signal that the Jew’s captivity in Babylon was nearing an end, but he
didn’t, however, grasp the full ramifications.
As Daniel
searched the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, he is made aware that the city
of Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years before they could return to it.
It was Daniel’s study of the Scriptures that led him to pray a prayer of
confession and repentance that was heard by GOD at the very moment that he
began to pray (Daniel 9:23).
Daniel’s wearing
of sackcloth and sprinkling of ashes over his body symbolized his “mournful
grief” and “GODly sorrow” for his sins, and, the sins of Israel. In Deuteronomy
28, Moses lays out the criteria by which GOD would deal with HIS covenant
people regarding sin, or disobedience. There, he spells out to everyone that
obedience will bring blessings, and disobedience will bring curses, or
discipline. One of those forms of discipline would be to subjugate the Jews to
Gentile dominance (Deuteronomy 28:48-57). However, the Word also says that, if
they returned to the ways of GOD, their nation would be restored to blessing
(Deuteronomy 30).
In Daniel’s
prayer, he confesses the sins of Israel, and also, he identifies himself with
those sins, just as though he were personally responsible for them. The sins of
Israel, like all sin, are a personal rebellion against GOD. Still, GOD, by way
of HIS abounding grace, had sent prophet after prophet, to plead with the Israelites
to return to HIM. However, they had steadfastly refused to do so.
After having
prayed for the removal of GOD’s wrath, Daniel then prays for GOD’s favor,
mercy, and forgiveness. The whole world was now mocking Jerusalem and GOD’s
people because of “the defeated state of existence” that they had lingered in now
for almost 70 years. Daniel asked that GOD would put an end to their shameful
condition and desolation for HIS OWN namesake, not because they themselves
deserved any help or mercy.
Here Daniel is
basing his request on “GOD’s great mercy”, and not on “the righteousness of
Israel”, because Israel, in and of itself, had no righteousness. Daniel was
showing his concern for GOD’s reputation in the world, and wanted GOD to
glorify HIMSELF to the world, by restoring the Israelites to prominence, who
were privileged enough to represent HIS mighty name here on earth, but had failed
to live up to their role of responsibility.
Oftentimes, we
lack sincerity and remorse when we confess our sins before GOD. But it is sincere
confession and repentance that appeals to the mercy of THE ALMIGHTY. We, as
Christians, are stirred to repentance in various ways, however, when we come to
GOD for help and forgiveness, we must all approach GOD with reverence, trust,
and GODly sorrow in our hearts, not just own our lips.
Daniel called GOD
“great” and “awesome” and he also stressed GOD’s “faithfulness” to HIS fallen
people. By focusing on GOD’s great sovereignty over all things concerning our
existence, we automatically acknowledge our sincere reverence and trust in HIM
to help us in our times of need. When we sincerely repent, GOD’s mercy
immediately begins to gravitate to us.
“Divine Love” is
the motivation behind everything that GOD does for us, and we are to love GOD
in return by obeying HIS “divine commands”. GOD always answers the prayers of
those who righteously seek HIM, and, HE responds very graciously to a sincere
prayer of repent. And as long as we continue to righteously seek GOD, our
prayers will be prayers that are immediately heard by “The ONE WHO sees us from
on High”, our FATHER, WHO is in Heaven (Daniel 9:23).
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY
D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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