Daniel 9

Message: Daniel prays and Gabriel gives him a prophecy

Time: 1st year of Darius the Mede, son of Ahasuerus

What the Lord is Saying: Daniel mentions he learned, from reading the word of The Lord (from Jeremiah) that Jerusalem must be desolate for 70 years. In response Daniel (1) prayed (2) fasted (3) wore burlap and (4) sprinkled himself with ashes.

Daniel's prayer begins with adoration of God, reminding himself of God's promises and that God's keeps them for his people.

Daniel's problem, though, of him and his people is we:
(1) rebel against you God, ignoring God's commands and regulations
(2) refused to listen to your ambassadors

Daniel's condition is now "shame" - the painful feeling from a self-awareness of having done wrong

And now we are far from you God because you sent us away. God promised that our rejection of Him would yield curses and judgments.

Yet, we know that God has mercy and is forgiving and can look past our sin, though we still do not obey. When disaster befalls us, we can't be surprised. But God rescues His people.

But he pleads to the Lord, that because of God's mercy, would he turn his anger from the City of Jerusalem. Daniel knows that the people don't deserve kindness. He knows that their position is based upon God's kindness. They don't deserve help, but they ask for mercy.

Prophecy
Gabriel comes - to communicate a command and communicate a prophecy. A period of 70 sets of seven to finish their rebellion. 7 sets of seven + 62 sets of seven will pass from this command until the Anointed One arrives. But the Anointed One will be killed; a ruler will arise who will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, with war. The ruler will make a treaty for one set of seven. He will put an end the sacrifices and offering. And then mentions a sacrilegious object that causes desecration.

Promise: It is the Lord that is in control of our outcomes. His mercy brings us safety. We do not ever deserve His kindness, but instead is for God's grace and Mercy. Yet God's blessings may be delayed in our lives when we continue in sin.