UNDERSTANDING GOD’S TIMETABLE

READ: Daniel 9:20-27(NKJV)

20. Now while I [was] speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God,
21. yes, 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.
22. And he informed [me,] and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
23. “At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell [you,] for you [are] greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
24. ” Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
25. “Know therefore and understand, [That] from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, [There shall be] seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
26. “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it [shall be] with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”

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THE MESSAGE

While Daniel was praying, the angel Gabriel appeared and announced to him God’s plan for Jerusalem, the Temple and the Jews. The vision came in direct response to Daniel’s intercessory prayer for the return of God’s people to their homeland in Jerusalem. It was a confirmation that Jerusalem would be rebuilt. His petitions would be granted completely, but only within a time frame of seventy ‘weeks’ (v.24). During this period, the Lord would accomplish six things for the Jews; the first three had to do with sin and the last three had to do with righteousness. Christians are called upon to apply the right approach to their yearnings and desires from God.

Daniel illustrates this principle that when we seek God diligently, we often receive more than we ask for. Do you have defined expectations when you pray? Pray for understanding to know the right thing to do and do it diligently until the mission or purpose of it is achieved. May God teach us His way in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER: O Lord, help me to always depend on you for guidance in all that I do in Jesus’ name, Amen.