“In the first year of his reign (Darius), I Daniel, understood by the books…that He (God) would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel 9:2
Dear Ones:
The Lord revealed to Habakkuk that Israel, because of her rejection of Him, would be invaded by the Chaldeans. Jesus, would declare to His disciples, that Jerusalem, after His death, would be destroyed, and the walls broken down. Daniel, a captive during the exile of Israel, would discover in the writings of Jeremiah, that the Lord fixed a time for His judgement upon Israel. It would be seventy years. It is very important to realize that God is just, but also merciful. The One who would discipline Israel to bring her back to Him, is the same One who would promise to her a new beginning. In both cases, it is the word of God that dictates the response of faith. To the one reading the “vision” of Habakkuk, the Lord says, “Run.” For Daniel, realizing that the seventy years of “desolations” were coming to an end, the intercession begins with certainty: “Cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.” (Dan. 9:17) It would be in response to the prayers of Daniel, and others of like faith and persuasion, that the “wheels” of eternity, and time, will begin to turn history in another direction, from desolation to blessing and fruitfulness, bringing joy out of the ashes, revealing God’s faithfulness to GIVE the new beginning to the nation, and the individual, who will believe.
The day before Israel followed Joshua to enter the promised land, by crossing the Jordan River, he told the people: “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord WILL do wonders among you.” (Josh. 3:5) What did he mean by “sanctify yourselves?” Jesus said, speaking of His disciples: “For their sakes, I sanctify myself.” (Jn. 17:19) To sanctify oneself is to set oneself apart unto God, for His purpose to be realized in the life, for His glory and the blessing of others. When Israel was to cross Jordan, it was to be with their eyes whole-heartedly fixed on Christ, that “spiritual Rock” which would lead, protect, and provide for them in their conquest of Canaan. It was the Apostle Paul, who prayed for the believers in Thessalonica: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23) How could He pray this with the CERTAINTY of expectation that it would be realized? It is because of what Paul writes in the next phrase: “Faithful is He who calls you who ALSO will do it.” (v.24)
Dear Father, those who have gone before us who desired of Thee clean hands and a pure heart, were granted such, because it was Thy will. Thy call to us is to set the entirety of our expectation upon Thee, blessed Christ, believing Thee, Sovereign Lord, to bring us into conformity with Thy purposes and will. Our expectation is fixed in Thee, for Thine is the power and the glory, forever. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad