Daniel (Part 9) – Prayer and Scripture changes everything

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Daniel – Part 9

(Prayer and Scripture changes everything)

Good Morning and Welcome to Jesus Church

Today we are in Chapter 9 of the Book of Daniel

• Answering the question: How do we thrive in a dark/evil world
  • Daniel was able to not just have faith
  • But he shared his faith… and it was at the request of others
  • Daniels faith was so desirable
    • That those far from God wanted to come near to him
• And over and over: How he was able to shine in a dark culture
  • Was thru his inspiring faith and courage – His conviction
  • Left others wanting what he had

Last week we looked at one/if not the most specific prophecy in the Bible

• We saw detail after detail that was prophesied by God to Daniel
  • So 1 – Shows there is no other Book on the Planet like our Bible
  • And 2 – Shows that God is never surprised about what’s to come
• And if God isn’t surprised… I have nothing to fear
  • Because He has it all under control
  • There is nothing and no one who can stop our God

This week we read a prayer from Daniel – Then there’s a prophecy

• In todays chapter… Back 2 present and Persia is the Empire in charge
  • And remember their King is going to let Jews go back Israel
  • Very significant – Meant rebuilding of temple/worship/sacrifices
  • Needed to happen in order for the prophecies about Jesus fulfilled
• So Daniel and everyone else is preparing to leave – Relocate
  • Preparing to go back to their promised land… (Daniel is around 80)
  • But in the 80 years the Jews have lived in Babylon/Persia
  • They have picked up some unhealthy habits… beliefs from culture

So God is preparing to restore/repair their physical needs

• But first he has to restore/repair their spiritual needs
  • Because you can fix your exterior…
  • But if interior stays the same… NOTHING CHANGES
• Its why people will run from their problems – Think it’s a fresh start
  • But it can’t be a fresh start… because you’re still there
  • And the issue is: You think your problems are exterior…
  • When really what’s inside you is the majority of the issue
    • But self-preservation never wants to say “I’m the problem”
• So you get a new relationship… job… city…
  • Sooner or later you find the exact same issues you had before
  • Because you’re running from something you can’t run from
  • You have to look in the mirror & ask God to deal with your interior
    • Before you can even think about the exterior

TAG: If you want a clean start… It begins with a clean heart

Thru Daniel God deals w/ external… but 1^st the internal

Ch.9 starts with Daniel studying scripture like we are doing today

Dan. 9:1-2

In the first year of Darius the son of A-dog, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans – in the first year of his reign. I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely seventy years.

• Daniel is studying scripture & realizes their captivity was almost over
  • He has been there since he was a teenager
  • Jeremiah prophesied it would be 70 years b4 they could rebuild
  • God is revealing this to Daniel…
• Even Daniel can learn something new when reading the Bible
  • Too many times I think we feel like we’ve read the stories…
  • We’ve heard the sermons…
  • I know what the Bible says so I don’t need to read it again
    • NO – If Daniel can get fresh revelation
    • I guarantee you can as well
• Which shows me that if I want a Word from the Lord
  • I should first get into the Word of the Lord
  • Too many people want God to speak to them
  • But refuse to take time to listen in the most practical way possible
    • Through reading God’s written Word to His people

And notice what Daniel calls the Book of Jeremiah (Word of the Lord)

• Last week we talked about how prophecy makes scripture unique
  • This makes the Bible unique as well…
    • That Jeremiah writes the scripture – But its authored by God
    • Which means when the Biblical authors speak
    • It is actually God who is speaking through them
      • This is why scripture is authoritative
  • And when God wants 2 speak… its done most clearly thru scripture
    • That’s why we love reading a lot of scriptures on Sunday
    • If you want a church that preaches on a concept or idea
    • You probably aren’t gonna find that here

And if ur curious what Daniel was reading… two places

Jer 25:8-12

I… says the Lord of hosts: Because you have not obeyed my words, behold, I will send… Nebuchandnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants… This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon 70 years. Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation.

Jer 29:10

For thus says the Lord: When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.

• So Jerimiah was a prophet that God raised up in Israel b4 Daniels time
  • God shows him the future that Babylon (Neb) would conquer them
    • This would happen because Israel had forsaken God
    • They had given themselves over to false gods
  • So God lifts his hand of protection from Israel
    • And allows this to happen to discipline his people
    • And ultimately being them back to a place of repentance
  • They will be taken away for exactly 70 years and then restored
    • And that is exactly what happens
    • Why – Because its what God declared would happen
• This is crazy how specific all of these prophecies are
  • You probably don’t even know what you’re having for lunch
  • And God is out there giving specific facts and details

TAG: Means u don’t have 2 know everything… just know the one who does

So Daniel’s excited (70 years) but the people arent ready

They aren’t ready to obey God… worship God… trust in God

• Which is true for so many of us as we find ourselves in captivity
  • So Daniel starts to pray for a spiritual awakening in his people
  • So they can leave bondage and walk into their future
• And this is what Daniel models for us in how to read the Bible
  • First: He reads – Book of Jeremiah
  • Second: He observes – Wow… captivity will last 70 years
  • Third: He Applies it to his life – We are gonna get to go home
  • Fourth: He Prays
• I’ll tell you what… if you want to transform ur life – Follow this model
  • And what you will get out of God’s word
  • How he will teach and encourage you
  • YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME… one more thing – Write it down

So after his Study… Daniel prays – This is what he says

Dan 9:3-6

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and your judgements. Neither have we heeded your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings and our princes, to our father and all the people of the land.

• So who is Daniel praying for… who is he repenting for
  • Because this is talking about back before Babylon took over
  • Before Babylon took over God had commanded his people
  • Make sure you take a sabbath – allow the land a sabbath as well
• Which meant work the land for 6 years… on the 7^th year don’t work it
  • Allow the land to rest – Trust God for your provision
  • Of course they didn’t listen: Make more money not taking Sabbath
• So this goes on for 490 years – God constantly telling them to listen
  • After 490 years God finally says enough
  • Removes them from the land for not trusting in Him
  • And after 490 years…. Guess how many years of Sabbath missed
    • 70 years!!! – So this is why God picked this amount of time

These things happen because God declares them to happen

• If God can say “You will be gone for not 69 years… not 71… 70 years
  • Then you can have confidence when God gives you a promise
  • Its gonna happen…

Phil 4:19

But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Its gonna happen)

Jer 29:11 (Right after God’s declaration of 70 years exile)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future. (Its gonna happen)

Daniel prays for the sins of Israel– Which happened when he was still a kid

• So he is repenting for something that was not his fault
  • Yet Daniel still understands its his responsibility
  • Because 70 years later now… Daniel recognizes his position
  • And he shows us leadership through love
• Biblical leadership is taking responsibility even when ur not at fault
  • The greatest example we have of this is Jesus
  • B/C is it Jesus fault that we sin… no
  • But did he make it his responsibility… yes
• As a leader… in your house… in your job… in your church
  • If something happens – Not your fault – Still your responsibility
  • So like Daniel (and Jesus in the garden) we intercede
  • Because sometimes that is the only thing we can do
    • Repent for those who are not ready to repent for themselves

This happens in Job 1 – Jobs kids throw a party in their own house (adults)

• What does Job do… he repented for his kids

Job 1:5

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning & offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “it may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

• Now does that mean my kids can have a relationship w/ Jesus thru me
  • No – But I can absolutely pray their hearts be softened to the H.S.
  • I can’t touch their heart… But I can touch the one who can
  • And I can intercede for them to come to repentance
    • And I’m responsible b/c that’s what loving leadership does

Daniel continues his prayer of repentance & intercession

Dan 9:21-23 (And at the end look at what happens)

While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly reached me about the time of the evening offering.

• I gotta admit… that’s pretty cool
  • Before Daniel is even done praying – Gabriel the angel shows up
  • He’s flying from somewhere… arrives during the evening offering
  • Which tells us angels have a relationship w/ time

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications (prayers) the command went out, and I have come to tell you for you are greatly loved…

• When was Daniels prayer answered by the Lord
  • At the beginning of his prayer… answered b4 he even said “Amen”
  • Which means when you pray – GOD HEARS
  • Its so easy to pray and wonder: Does this even makes a difference?
• In society there’s a push to have “Positive Vibes” / “Manifesting”
  • Which is a spiritual longing for a Biblical truth
  • You want to know what really manifesting is…
  • Its praying/worshiping to a real God – “And a command went out
    • Here’s the difference: Its not ur power that creates… its Gods
• And we know there is this unseen realm… its all over Daniels account
  • Prayer are requests coming from this realm and enter that realm
  • And then God hears – and assigns angels as messengers/ministers
    • To go help and serve His people on the earth

So when we pray (singing is a form as well) – God hears and answers

• The reason why we start and end service with singing
  • Its why at the end of service our prayer team will be up front
  • We want you to hear the Word surrounded by powerful worship
  • So that God can work in your heart
• And when we pray/worship we reach into the unseen realm
  • And welcome it into our lives
  • Why it seems worshipers see the supernatural more than others
  • B/C they are welcoming God’s supernatural power into their lives
• And when Daniel reaches into the realm of the unseen
  • He gets the angel Gabriel
  • Now if you wonder when you don’t get an angel
  • Who says you don’t…

Ps. 91:11

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

Heb. 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation

• And we know there are angels assigned to 7 churches in Revelation

You might not know its an angel like Daniel does

• Why? Because their job isn’t to draw attention to themselves
  • Its to point you back to the Lord
  • So maybe you’ve encountered multiple angels – Just don’t know it
  • When we look back at our lives… I think you’ll be surprised
    • Angels came in undercover – Its what soldiers on mission do

Heb. 13:2

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

• But with that said… as cool as it would be to find out you met an angel
  • Daniel has a problem… Daniel prays… and God sends him a helper
  • What is far better than an angel speaking on behalf of God
  • Is the Holy Spirit speaking directly into your heart & mind
• And what he will always remind you of when you seek after Him
  • Is the first message Gabriel gives to Daniel while he is praying

Dan 9:23b

…And I have come to tell you, you are greatly loved.

B4 God says anything else… God wants to make 1 thing clear: His love

• Imagine being Daniel (with his life) and hearing this from an angel
  • Kidnapped from his home… I’m a slave
  • Ripped away from his family
  • Castrated… forced to serve demonic kings
• And what he hears from God is “You are greatly loved”
  • That must mean Satan and the demons must greatly hate him
  • Which could explain why must of his life is so hard
• Just because life is hard doesn’t mean God hates you
  • I could mean that God loves you… but his enemies hate you
  • You are GREATLY LOVED… and if u don’t feel it – Its Gods word 2 u

End: The 1^st thing that God wants to reveal to you is: You are greatly loved

[PRAY]