Click here to listen to this week’s episode of Further In, in which members of the Passion City Church DC team discuss the passage of scripture we’re studying and consider how to apply the truths of God’s word to our lives.

This Week’s Reading: Daniel 9, Jeremiah 25 & 29, Matthew 24

Before you read… 

We find ourselves in the first year of Darius the Mede’s reign. Daniel is now in his 80s, still faithfully serving and seeking God despite having been in exile for decades. The end of the exile is nearing, so Daniel turns to the LORD…

–Read Daniel 9:1-23– 

Daniel’s Situation (9:1-3). In the first year of Darius, Daniel surveys Scripture and reflects on Jeremiah’s prophecy that Jerusalem’s desolation would last 70 years (See Jeremiah 25 & 29). Realizing that the time spoken by Jeremiah was near, Daniel turns to the LORD God with fasting, signs of remorse (wearing sackcloth and ashes), and prayer over the wrongdoing of himself and all of Israel. 

Daniel’s Adoration (9:4). Notice how Daniel starts his prayer: adoring God by acknowledging his greatness, awe, covenantal nature, and loyal love. Daniel’s confession and petition to God follow his praise for God.

Daniel’s Confession (9:5-15). Daniel’s prayer then moves to honest confession. He does not shift blame, make excuses, or hide. Rather, he openly admits the faults of himself and all of Israel. He takes personal ownership of their plight. Notice all verbs Daniel mentions: “We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled”… “We have not listened”… “We have sinned against you.” Daniel recognizes that Israel had not simply violated a moral law; they had violated their God, to whom righteousness, mercy, and forgiveness belong. 

Daniel’s Petition (9:16-19). Daniel then transitions to a heartfelt plea for God’s mercy. He asks God to turn His anger away from Jerusalem, His holy city, not because of Israel’s righteousness but because of His great mercy. Daniel’s petition is urgent and passionate: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act.”

Meditations

Adoration. Daniel’s prayer began with adoration. The character of God drives his prayer life. Spend a moment adoring God for who he is and what he has done for you.

Confession. Daniel realized that he and all of Israel had turned away from the whole life God intended for them. Realizing his transgression, Daniel didn’t blame or hide but confessed. Spend a moment confessing to God the ways (both big and small) you have neglected his instruction and guidance. 

Petition. Daniel’s prayer didn’t end at confession. He also had the confidence to make a petition—to ask. Daniel asked that God listen to them, forgive them, and move on their behalf. Spend another quiet moment asking God to move on your behalf. 

Prayer

Lord,

You are faithful and just, 

abounding in mercy and loyal love.

I confess my shortcomings and wrongdoings.

Forgive me, 

not because of my righteousness, 

but because of Your great mercy.

Strengthen me to seek Your face 

with humility and confidence.

Amen.

– Read Daniel 9:20-27–

What happened?

Heaven’s Response (9:20-23). While Daniel is still praying, the angel Gabriel appears and assures Daniel that his prayer was heard the moment he began to pray and that he is “greatly loved.” Heaven’s response to Daniel’s confession is compassion. Gabriel also brings Daniel a message of insight and understanding.

Heaven’s Plan (Seventy ‘Sevens’) (9:24-27). Gabriel’s prophecy of the “Seventy Sevens” ultimately outlines God’s redemptive timeline for his people. Most agree that the “sevens” (also translated “weeks”) represents years– totaling 490 years. These 490 years are divided into three periods: seven sevens (49 years) from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to its completion, sixty-two sevens (434 years) leading to the arrival of the “Anointed One” (understood as Jesus), and one final seven (7 years) marked by desolation and destruction.

Interpretations of this prophecy vary. One interpretation thinks the timeline culminates in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, believing the prophecy was fulfilled in His redemptive work and the events that followed in the 1st century. Another interpretation understands the numbers symbolically, seeing the current Church age as now existing within the final seven years. A third interpretation separates the 69 sevens (483 years) from the final seven, believing the last period will be in the future as a time of tribulation, viewing the current Church age as a gap until then. 

Despite these differences, the prophecy foretells God’s faithfulness. What is important is this: God’s plan for his people, through Jesus, is to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for iniquity, and bring in everlasting righteousness. 

Meditations

“You are greatly loved”

Gabriel’s immediate response to Daniel’s confession reminds us that God responds with grace to our honest confession. In the same way Daniel is “greatly loved,” so are you. How does knowing you are “greatly loved” impact your confidence in prayer?

Putting an End to Sin

This prophecy promises that Jesus will put an end to the very thing that tears life apart: sin. Jesus will pay for it and defeat it. Spend a quiet moment thanking Jesus for being the hero that has already come to deal with sin, and will one day eradicate it forever. 

Prayer

Lord,

You work all things according to Your perfect plan.

Thank you for meeting my prayers with grace. 

Thank you Jesus:

The Solution to all brokenness. 

I long for the day when you restore all things

and your kingdom reigns forever.

Amen.