Day 26

Week 4:  A Challenge

FOR YOUR GLORY GODDaniel 9:16-19 (NIV) ¹⁶  O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. ¹⁷  "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸  Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹  O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

 Daniel worships by speaking of the character of God.He confessed their sin and then He asks for mercy and restoration.

• "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy" (v. 18, NIV).

But even more, Daniel desired the nation to be restored that God might be glorified. After all, the Jews were God's chosen people, and Jerusalem was the place of His holy temple; the longer the people and the land were under God's wrath, the less glory the Lord would receive.

• "Your city and your people bear your Name" (v. 19, NIV).

Ask God to move among His people so that He will be glorified.  It is for His name’s sake.