TEXT: Daniel 9:7-10
READING: Psalm 32:1-11
SUBJ: Daniel’s prayer and the place of the attributes of Righteousness with God and of “confusion of face” (shame) with us – personally and nationally.
AIM: That we might be aware of the constant need of mercy and forgiveness which He alone can provide for us and that we might fervently pray for our nation.
INTR: The case of Daniel’s prayer is unique in that the life of Daniel is exemplary while his prayer is filled with submission and confession. (He is referenced along with Noah and Job by Ezekiel).
1. The facts of his life and their value to us all (rehearse the earlier events).
2. The willingness of Daniel to identify with his people rather than to claim exemption from them and their sins.
3. The message here is of the promise of the deliverance to Israel. An application may be made for us individually, as a community, and as a nation of rebels against God. From F. B. Meyer: “What a prayer is this! In many respects it is a model for us all. It was based on the divine Word. The fact that God had promised to restore the desolations of Jerusalem after seventy years, did not restrain, but prompted and inspired Daniel’s prayers. God’s promises are not independent of our faith, but await our appropriation.”
THESIS: The mercy of God can never be understood apart from the knowing what is attributed to God and what is attributed to us. (I have heard often in years past when someone was trying to prod another to admit to lying, they insisted that they “0wn up” to it.)
I. Righteousness belongs to the Lord our God (v. 7a)
1. A matter of ownership
2. It is who and what God is – His essence – and it is manifested in all He does.
3. He is in every way perfect and that perfection is manifested in Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. He is absolute holy, and no unrighteousness can be charged in regard to any act of God.
1) Statements are heard such as “If God did that, He would be unjust…” The later discovery that He has done this or that leaves one without excuse.
2) Another question is “how could God do or allow thus and so...?”
5. Consider: Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. AND Psalms 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
II. Confusion of face (shame) belongs to us (vv 7b-8)
1. This shame that appears on our face when we feel our guilt and lack of hope.
2. Consider: Ezekiel 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. AND Isaiah 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
3. Let us make application to ourselves and note: Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
4. This may be applied to our government and us in the Kings, Princes, and Fathers.
5. Confusion describes the countenance in every place:
1) Toward our situation – “what shall we do?”
2) As our sin and sinfulness is revealed to ourselves.
3) Before God to whom we must give an accounting.
III. Mercies and forgiveness belong to the Lord (vv. 9-10)
1. Mercy is the nature of God and He delights in it
1) Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
2) Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
3) Although He delights in mercy, If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. (Psalms 130:3-4)
2. He is sovereign in the dispensation of mercy and forgives whom He wills: Psalms 130:4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
3. The gospel message is that He took ownership of that which causes the need of mercy in that He made Him sin who knew no sin.
1) Christ was sent to address that which is between God and us.
2) His first manifestation of mercy is in making us aware of our need of it
3) His mercy is manifested in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. It comes though we have rebelled and have been disobedient.
5. But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. (Psalms 59:16-17)
