Mundy Monday’s: Daniel 9:16

Hello readers,

If there are any… I am feeling a little down right now, which has negatively impacted my writing; however, I am just getting back into the routine. This week I rolled 31 witrh 3 D20 and a D10 which means book 27… Daniel! And as usual the rest follows into 9:16, which says:

Historically, Daniel is praying for Israel after they were taken captive into Babylon, and then after that kingdom fell they came under the power of the over-pharaoh Darius (yes, Ahaseurus just means over-Pharaoah like Ceasar means ruler over Kings. It’s almost like we get things like Czar and Kaiser from something like that 😉

Doctrinally, we see God answering prayers and delivering men into service for him that his name might be glorified in Ezra and Nehemiah according to Daniel’s prayer. Daniel being about 83 at this point (13+70 = 97?;) was a picture of the Jew’s from their restoration at the 70th week. Yay numbers!

Devotionally, we see that God does answer prayers even if it’s not on our timetable.

On the human level, do you think this really was the first time Daniel prayed for the restoration after being in captivity 70 years? Afterall, it was foretold that Israel would be taken captive for 70 years by Ezekiel; however, He was taken away captive as a youth and probably wasn’t around the king’s courts until Babylon. This time was different and Daniel knew it because of the result! What does that mean? You can never give up praying according to the will of God and in his will he will bring restoration to pass. Regardless of how it comes there is hope even if you can’t see it.

Personally, I know I can’t see any hope in my life right now… If you have been following the blog posts it’s easy to see that I might feel belittled, damaged, and abused by those who I dared open my heart to. Add 30 years of constant and unmitigated rejection to that and life really shines about as brightly as 1,000 watt bulb powered by 1 lemon… Not to mention someone just ate the lemon. My life feels as bright as moaning cavern’s when the light’s go out and you see pitch black for the first time (definitely a worthwhile trip).

Feeling like God is sending anger my way? check.
Feeling like I am receiving the punishment for someone else’s sins? check.
Reproached by those who don’t know or care? check.

Somehow, I know one day God will have his way in this part of my life, but boy does it hurt. Sometimes I feel like the rest of my life will be as Daniel’s considering what was done to him in Babylon, yet maybe not. We will see what comes of the story as it unfolds… Maybe there will be a Sanballat and Tobiah? I hope not.