January 8: Daniel 9:1-19
The Circumstances (verses 1-2)
Seventy years can seem like a short time, or it can seem like an eternity. It all depends on one’s perspective. Sometimes, we look back at our lives and wonder how the years passed so quickly. Then again, there are times when a year may seem like it will never end. Usually, time passes quickly when we are engaged in activity, enjoying the moments, looking forward to the next adventure. But when things are tough, circumstances are hard, struggles seem endless, time seems to drag on.
1975 —————> Present
After the second deportation when Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC removed the royal house, the princes, and noblemen, along with the skilled laborers to Babylon, prophets like Hananiah rose up and proclaimed that the captivity would end quickly, and the captives should not settle in Babylon because they would soon be returning. Hananiah, one of these broke the yoke that the Lord had instructed Jeremiah to wear and proclaimed that the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar would be broken within two years. However, the Lord put Hananiah to death that same year because he had encouraged the people to believe a lie. Then Jeremiah sent a letter to the captives in Babylon including this word:
“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”
Jeremiah 29:10, ESV
Here, we find Daniel, now either nearing or just past eighty (depending on when was taken captive), reading the messages of Jeremiah (notice that Daniel considers Jeremiah an inspired prophet and his messages a part of the inspired writings, “the books”). In the first year that Cyrus conquers Babylon (539 BC), Daniel realizes that the seventy-year captivity is nearing its completion, so he begins to pray earnestly for God to keep His promise.
I believe that we should claim the promises of God. I encourage you to seek, believe and claim the promises of God. However, we must be careful in doing so, for we must understand to whom those promises are made and how they might apply to us in our situation.
For instance, possibly one of the most misapplied promises I see spread across social media is Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (ESV)
This message came in the context of the pronouncement that the captives should settle in, work, raise their families, and make themselves at home for the seventy years they would remain in Babylon. This promise is similar to the one in Romans 8:28:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)
Please understand that I do not deny that God has a wonderful plan for my life, for the New Testament makes it clear that God has extended His love and grace to me through Jesus Christ at unbelievable cost. I certainly believe that He has given me a future and a hope. But I must be careful not to take this verse to mean that this new year will be filled with wealth, health, prosperity, and material blessings. God’s plan is a long-term plan. I must trust Him to fulfill His promises concerning His plan for my life. It might take seventy years or more to complete His plan and fulfill His promise.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14, ESV)
APPLICATION
What promises do (can) you claim as you trust God to work in your life?
PRAYER
“Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!”
(Psalm 27:7-13, ESV)
REVDANS 