Daniel

Daniel 9: Mercy and forgiveness belong to God

Begin in prayer

Before Daniel prays for his people, let us ask God to show us that mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord, and to teach us to confess our sin.

Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:77

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that mercy and forgiveness belong to You, and help us to see Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

In the first year of Darius the Mede, Daniel understands from the books that Jerusalem will lie desolate seventy years. He turns to the Lord God in prayer, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. He confesses that he and his people have sinned and rebelled, and that righteousness belongs to the Lord. He says, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness,” and he asks the Lord to hear and forgive. While Daniel is still praying, Gabriel comes swiftly and tells him he is greatly beloved. Gabriel then speaks of seventy weeks, to make an end of sins and to bring in everlasting righteousness.

As you read Daniel 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, and Daniel asked for them in prayer.

Daniel understood from the books that the LORD had told Jeremiah Jerusalem would lie desolate seventy years (verses 1 and 2). So he set his face to the Lord God to seek Him in prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes (verse 3). He began by confessing, “we have sinned,” and said to the Lord, “righteousness belongs to you” (verses 5 and 7). Right in the middle he said, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness” (verse 9). Daniel confessed the sin of his people together with his own (verse 20). He asked for help “for your great mercies’ sake,” and he asked the Lord to forgive (verses 18 and 19). While he prayed, Gabriel came and said, “you are greatly beloved” (verses 21 to 23). Gabriel spoke of seventy weeks, to “make an end of sins” and “make reconciliation for iniquity” (verse 24). So sinners have nothing to bring God but their sin, and He gives mercy and forgiveness freely.

How does Daniel 9 show us that mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, and that Daniel asked for them in prayer?

Daniel confessed that his people had sinned.

Daniel prayed to the Lord his God and made confession (verse 4). He said, “we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled” (verse 5). They had not listened to the prophets, who spoke in God's name (verse 6). Daniel said, “righteousness belongs to you,” and confusion of face belongs to us (verse 7).

Mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God.

In the middle of his confession Daniel said, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness” (verse 9). Daniel did not rest on his people's righteousness, for he prayed “for your great mercies’ sake” (verse 18). He cried, “Lord, hear; Lord, forgive” (verse 19). Jesus said He came to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5 verse 32). John says God is faithful to forgive those who confess their sins (1 John 1 verse 9).

Gabriel came while Daniel prayed and called him greatly beloved.

While Daniel was still praying, Gabriel touched him about the time of the evening offering (verse 21). He said he had come to give Daniel wisdom and understanding (verse 22). At the beginning of Daniel's petitions the commandment went out, and Daniel was “greatly beloved” (verse 23). Gabriel spoke of seventy weeks, to make an end of sins (verses 24 to 27). Faithful Christians understand those verses in different ways.

Memorise

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him.

Daniel 9:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin must I confess, and do I ask Jesus to forgive me?

Daniel prayed, “Lord, forgive.” On the night before the cross, Jesus said His blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26 verse 28).

We have all sinned, as Daniel said, and we have nothing to bring God to earn forgiveness. So Jesus bore the sin of His people on the cross, and what He finished there cannot be undone. Early on the first day of the week He rose, and the tomb was empty.

So pray as Daniel did, and come to Jesus. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Jesus gives forgiveness to all who trust in Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord, and that Daniel confessed sin and asked for them. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, verses 24 to 27 are understood in different ways by faithful Christians, so please read them slowly.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that mercies and forgiveness belong to Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Make your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.

Psalm 31:16

Lord our God, thank You that mercies and forgiveness belong to You. We have sinned, and we have nothing to earn them with. Thank You for Jesus. Please lead us to confess our sin and trust Him. Amen.