Day 28
“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” -Daniel 9:3
Yesterday we glanced at Nehemiah humbly coming before the Lord to confess and repent of the sins of Israel, including his own. Nearly 100 years before Nehemiah recognized this need, the prophet Daniel had done the same thing (Daniel 9:4-19). Again, as with Nehemiah yesterday, Daniel offers up a tremendous prayer of repentance on behalf of his people.
Daniel recognized the need for such repentance. He knew, through his study of God’s Word, that his people had sinned against God. In his prayer he said the “treachery that they have committed against you.” Think of that for moment. The people had committed treason against God. But of course. Sin is treason against God. A lifestyle of sin, a nation of sin, the embracing of sin and turning from God is treason. We have committed treason against God. Our nation. Our people. We must repent on behalf of out nation’s decades long treason. We must repent and prayer for the masses to turn back to the one true God.
Daniel, because of his study, new he was living in monumental times. Based on his decades long position very high up in the Babylonian government, he likely knew that he was being used by God for particular purposes. Yet, he was still humble. Along with his fasted prayer, he wore sackcloth and covered himself in ashes to further demonstrate his humility before the Lord. These three combined are again signs of grief and/or repentance, which are both clear in his prayer.
At this juncture, Daniel had been an exile in Babylon for 66 years. He knew, because of the prophet Jeremiah, that his people would be exiled for 70 years. He knew that the recent victory over Babylon by the Medes meant the end of that 70 years was swiftly approaching and thus made matters even more momentous.
His knowledge and study of Scripture led Daniel to this fasted prayer before the Lord. Daniel clearly understood that the exile in Babylon was a divine judgement on Israel. Daniel also clearly understood that in order to be restored to God, recognition of wrongdoing and confession of that wrongdoing was required if restoration was to occur. He also mentioned in his prayer that obedience was also a requirement for God to keep his covenant of hesed.
This Hebrew word hesed is peculiar in English. We don’t have a great translation for it. Typically it is just translated as love, but it is much deeper than that. “Loyal love” would be closer to the mark, or “undeserved kindness and generosity.” Nonetheless, even a covenant people cannot be blessed if they disobey. If you have children, think of how you love them. Still, it cannot compare to God’s love, but it is perhaps the closest earthly example. When they disobey, you still love them, yet they require punishment. They get a spanking, grounded, no dessert, etc. Punishment, not blessing.
Daniel acknowledged that the people had rebelled against God. They had committed treason by turning away from His word and His laws; even though they knew them. Even after receiving prophets, like Jeremiah, the people didn’t listen and refused their message. Daniel also recognized in his prayer that kings and the people were all guilty before God. That certainly is true of our own nation today. The government are the ones embracing the wicked and vile, anti-Christ philosophies of the day the most. The people continue to vote them in and allow this treachery to continue. We are all guilty. We must repent.
Daniel acknowledged much more about God and about what his people had done in his prayer. He acknowledged God’s righteousness and how He was just for disciplining Israel. God’s righteousness meant that He must punish a rebellious and disobedience people. That treachery is what led to curses and judgements; and justly so. Our own treachery is leading in that direction too. We see many of the early signs today.
I am not a medical professional. This journal is about my spiritual path and about that which the Lord has placed on me. This is not medical advice, nor was this fast done for any medical purpose. If you have a medical interest, seek medical advice. If you have particular health concerns, seek medical advice and/or conduct your own research. Any fasting advice, effects, realizations or anything else related to my fast come from my personal reflection and experience. If you are considering fasting, consulting with a healthcare provider may be appropriate for you.