Word for the Day December 9
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
"We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.
O Lord, listen! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people
bear Your Name." Daniel 9:19
Jeremiah had prophesied that restoration for Jerusalem would begin in 70 years. The 70 years
were almost up and Daniel did not just sit back and watch. He began to pray and fast (Daniel 9:3) for the fulfillment
of God's Word. He asked for the restoration, not because of righteousness on his part or the part of Israel, but
for the Lord's sake (Daniel 9:17, 18).
While
he was praying and confessing his sin and the rebellion of his people Israel making his requests to God for His
holy hill- the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to open to him everything. He told him 483 years would occur between
the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the coming of the Anointed One (Jesus) (Daniel 9:25) and in verse 26
explains the crucifixion, the coming of the antichrist and the great tribulation (verse 27).
He went on in chapter 10 to reveal
the things that were to come and the end times. The glory and awesomeness of this visitation caused Daniel to be drained
and the angel raised him to his hands and knees. The angel addressed Daniel as,"you who are highly esteemed"
and told him, "Do not be afraid" (verse 12). He showed him everything to the very end!
God loves the world (John 3:16). But He responds
in a special way to the love and faithfulness of people who, like Daniel, are His true servants. Daniel understood
the WILL OF GOD and interceded for it.
God's will is that everyone be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and that no saved believer should fall (John
6:39). The Lord's servants must intercede as Daniel did for God's will to be done. Jesus destroyed the
works of Satan (1 John 3:8), and it is God's will for his servants to wage war against spiritual hosts of wickedness
through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:10-20, 1 Thes. 5:8) that His kingdom will come and and His will be done on earth as it is
in heaven (Mt. 6:10). Are you praying for God's will to be done?
"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you
do not know." Jeremiah 33:3