Daniel 9:16–19

The Body of Christ is the visible sign of Gods’ presence on the earth. With the power of Holy Spirit indwelling His people we are redeemed to do good works. We are the hands and feet of the risen Savior.

‘It is finished!” Jesus cried. Stop and listen. Can you imagine the cry from the cross? What was finished? The history-long plan of redeeming man. The message of God to man. The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished.

A cry of defeat? Hardly. Had Jesus’ hands not been fastened down, I dare say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky. This is no cry of despair. It is a cry of completion. A cry of victory. A cry of fulfillment. Yes, even a cry of relief: “Take me home.” Come, ten thousand angels! Come and take this wounded one to the cradle of his Father’s arms. Farewell, manger’s infant. Take this Son to his Father. He deserves a rest. Bless you, holy ambassador. Go home, rest well. The battle is over! It is finished. Max Lucado 

I do know this... these days I’m drawn to soft hearted and courageous people.
Thank God for you. Don’t lose your soft heart.
And to this... my prayer for Peace...
For those who are fleeing: sanctuary
For those who are staying: safety
For those who are fighting: peace
For those whose hearts are breaking: comfort
For those who are no future: hope
Amen. SabbathMoments 

Daniel 9:16–19

16 “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. 17 Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” The New King James Version

Daniel entreats Yahweh to subdue His wrath and forgive on the basis of His righteous acts—His legacy of saving works (Psalm 103:6). The Israelites are in captivity because of their ancestors’ sin. If the temple associated with the God of Israel has been disgraced, so too has God and the nation to whom it belonged.  

Daniel’s reference to the desolate sanctuary would have resonated with those living in the days of Antiochus. Daniel’s prayer reaches its peak with four imperatives asking Yahweh to forgive and take swift action. The condition of God’s city—the temple—and His people reflects on Him. Daniel pleads for their restoration so that the greatness of God’s name might be restored, not defamed. Daniel is concerned with God’s reputation among the nations; he does not want to bring any reproach on His name. Faithlife Study Bible

Daniel reflected on the greatest redemptive event of Israel’s history, the exodus from Egypt, and prayed that God would repeat what He had done long ago. Your sanctuary is a reference to Solomon’s temple, which had lain in ruins since 586 b.c. 

It is important to note that the only basis for Daniel’s appeal was the grace of God. Do not delay: These words must be understood in light of Daniel’s reference to the 70 years. Daniel knew full well that all of God’s promises had not come to pass, nor had the blessings been conferred on the regathered and restored people. The NKJV Study Bible

Here is a believing appeal to the mercy of God. It is a comfort that God has been always ready to pardon sin. It is encouraging to recollect that mercies belong to God, as it is convincing and humbling to recollect that righteousness belongs to him. There are abundant mercies in God, not only forgiveness, but forgivenesses. Here are pleaded the reproach God’s people was under, and the ruins God’s sanctuary was in. Sin is a reproach to any people, especially to God’s people. The desolations of the sanctuary are grief to all the saints. Here is an earnest request to God to restore the poor captive Jews to their former enjoyments. O Lord, hearken and do. Not hearken and speak only, but hearken and do; do that for us which none else can do; and defer not. Here are several pleas and arguments to enforce the petitions. Do it for the Lord Christ’s sake; Christ is the Lord of all. And for his sake God causes his face to shine upon sinners when they repent, and turn to him. In all our prayers this must be our plea, we must make mention of his righteousness, even of his only. The humble, fervent, believing earnestness of this prayer should ever be followed by us. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Numbers 6:25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

Psalm 87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Lamentations 5:18 Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, with foxes walking about on it.