A Good Prayer
In chapter 9 of Daniel, we see him praying to God because he realized that the 70 years of Judah’s exile, predicted by Jeremiah the prophet, is nearly up. He does not, however, merely assume that they have paid their penalty and now deserve to be released from captivity in Babylon. So he prays. But not just any prayer. He spends a good deal of time confessing their guilt, even his own.
How is it his? He was one of the people who remained true to God. He didn’t defile himself with idol worship as most had. Why does he lump himself in with them? Well, he confesses that God’s people are all guilty of sin. He lists four different terms for sin from the smallest- mere missing the target of righteousness, to the most egregious- willful, wanton, premeditated rebellion against God. Everyone was guilty of something in that list.
Then, he says this in verse 16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us.”
Note that he doesn’t say “Because of how you punished us by laying waste to Jerusalem and sending us into captivity we became a byword.” No, he clearly and distinctly lays the blame where it belongs. On those who sinned.
This is so different than most of our society. I once arrested a shoplifter who was stealing a $120 pair of shoes (a big deal in 1997). Through tears he said, “You’re going to cost me my scholarship at MSU!” I immediately corrected him and said “No, YOU are going to cost yourself your scholarship.”
Daniel continues in his prayer in verses 18-19a. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive.
He doesn’t say “forgive us because we repented, changed, and are better people now.” Even though that was true. He recognized that it wasn’t their new, comparative righteousness that would bring God to forgive, it was His great mercy.
And God did forgive. He not only ended the exile and returned them to Jerusalem to rebuild it and the temple, but he showed him the game-plan for the coming of the redeemer of Israel who would put and end to guilt and sin. He told him that it was already set up and in motion for the coming of the Messiah. God not only answered Daniel’s prayer, He gave him 100-fold what he asked for. He gave the forgiveness and righteousness that only comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ.