Plea to the Sovereign God of...
The Sovereignty of God | A Study Through the Book of Daniel • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsDaniel, while acknowledging Israel's sin, calls upon God's forgiveness and relief of His people to give honor to His just judgment, sovereignty, and reputation.
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Introduction |
Daniel within his prayer of intercession that began this chapter, So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed…(vv.3-4a). Throughout much of this prayer, Daniel has confessed the sins of his people, Israel. He has not made excuses, nor has he tried to dodge guilt for his people or himself despite his decision to remain faithful from the beginning. A decision that has guided his entire life and ministry. As repeatedly stated throughout this study of Daniel, this decision and commitment is the key verse of this prophetic work.
8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
May we find the same commitment within ourselves. It is within this heart, this commitment, that Daniel continues his plea on behalf of Israel. Within his plea, his prayer, we find a change of heart. He is no longer confessing the sin of his people, Israel, he is now pleading to God for forgiveness and restoration. As he pleads to God, he reveals God’s sovereignty in several ways.
Focus Passage | Daniel 9:15-19
Outline |
A Plea to the Sovereign God of the Exodus (v. 15)
15 “And now, Lord, our God, You who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made a name for Yourself, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have been wicked.
Daniel pleas to God’s sovereign covenant - ‘…You who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt...’
Daniel pleas to God’s sovereign providence - ‘....with a mighty hand...’
Daniel pleas to God’s sovereign faithfulness - ‘…and made a name for Yourself, as it is this day...’
Daniel pleas to God’s sovereign judgment - ‘…we have sinned, we have been wicked...’
A Plea to the Sovereign God of Righteousness (v. 16)
16 Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the wrongdoings of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become an object of taunting to all those around us.
God is righteous in his judgment. He is just in his judgment. We have sinned. We have fallen and missed the mark. As Paul writes, For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Daniel does not avoid this truth, nor does he ignore this truth. He admits this truth.
Daniel acknowledged God was just in his judgment of His people - ‘…in accordance with all Your righteous acts...’
Israel was guilty. Israel had sinned. God was just, righteous in His judgment of His people, for because of our sins and the wrongdoings of our fathers (v. 16b).
Daniel pleads for God’s mercy and grace - ‘…let now Your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain...
Daniel pleads to God and says your judgment has come - ‘…Your people have become an object of taunting to all those around us...’
Daniel tells God, your judgment has followed suit. You said that we would become laughing stocks and a byword. That your people would be living testimonies of your judgment.
11 “I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, A haunt of jackals; And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.”
9 I will make them an object of terror and an evil for all the kingdoms of the earth, as a disgrace and a proverb, a taunt and a curse in all the places where I will scatter them.
This has happened.
A Plea to the Sovereign God of Restoration (v. 17)
17 So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his pleas, and for Your sake, Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.
Daniel pleas to God’s personal testimony - ‘…Your servant…Your sake…Your face…Your…sanctuary...’
Daniel pleas to God’s restorative power - ‘…desolate sanctuary...’
Daniel pleads to God, “Your just judgment has come. Please now restore...’
A Plea to the Sovereign God of Action (vv. 18-19)
18 My God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our pleas before You based on any merits of our own, but based on Your great compassion. 19 Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
Daniel’s plea comes with humility and reverence of God’s sovereignty - ‘…Lord…Lord…Lord...’
Daniel has admitted guilt over and over throughout his prayer. This portion of his prayer is no different. Throughout this prayer, he explains, “We are guilty!” He prays, …we are not presenting our pleas before You based on any merits of our own.
Within our present text, Daniel calls on God’s mercy and forgiveness. He prays, but based on Your great compassion.
Daniel pleads to God, “Give attention to my prayer” - ‘…incline Your hear and hear…Lord, hear…Lord, listen...’
Daniel pleads to God for action - ‘…Lord,…take action...’
Daniel calls for urgent action - ‘…do not delay...’
Daniel calls for God’s honor and glory to be magnified through His action - ‘…For Your own sake…because Your city and Your people are called by Your name...’
Conclusion |
God is sovereign. God is the covenant God of Israel. God is a God of righteousness and is just in His judgment. God is a God of restoration. God is a God of action. May we never forget that God is faithful to His promises. These promises may be for blessing or judgment, but God is faithful.
