DISASTER

 

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

 

     Daniel is now in the heart of his intercession.  He then mentioned the curses and sworn judgments of God listed in the Law of Moses.  These are found in Deut 28.  The law of Moses was both the ten commandments and the ceremonial, religious and social laws.  The curses are actually consequences of sin and disobedience.  Moses was a servant of God.  His primary purpose was not just deliverer, nation builder, law giver but doing the will of God.  The will of God never just has one purpose but has many components in it.  Moses was a servant leader.  His primary purpose was to serve God and show the people how to serve God by his example. 

     The law was given as a boundary of protection and a fence of freedom.  The curses mentioned are direct consequences of sin.  The people knew what to do and they did not.    It was an out pouring or deluge of judgment.  God will judge us.  Paul says judgment is a result of reaping what we have sown.   Daniel said that they had sinned directly against God.  A true intercessor sees things through the lens of redemption.  All things have a redemptive aspect of it.  That is why the blood of Jesus is so important it cleanse us from all sin.  Daniel has made it clear why this has happened and why they are where they are.

 

12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

 

     Daniel speaking to God  and says that God did what he said he will do.  God is not a liar or soft on sin.  Talk about Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery.  He did not condemn but he did not condone.  True love will not allow us to stay in a destructive behavior.  I have heard it said many times that God loves us to much to leave us as we are.  Daniel then brings the consequences of what has happened not just to the rulers but to all of the people.  It is easy to blame others especially leadership but eventually we have to take ownership of what we have done.  As we talk about last week the sooner we take responsibility for our own actions the sooner a solution can be found.  That is why Daniel said us and then the leaders. 

     The definition disaster is, a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, or act of God that causes great damage or loss of life.  In this case it was an act of God.  The tragedy is God gave them, 400 years and multiple warnings for generations to avoid it.  This is lunacy, insanity and stupidity in action.  The terrible thing today is so many people right now are doing it.  Our friends, family neighbors are doing it.  People we love.  That is why I am preaching this message and stirring us to pray and action.  We do not have time.  We have such a small window of opportunity to turn this around. 

     Daniel then states that under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like this before what has been done to Jerusalem.  Other nations had been judged but this is the first time God had judged a nation and people under his direct care and supervision.  They were a covenant people.  They were God’s people.  Called by Him and set apart for holy purposes.  They were a showcase nation.   A simple lesson no person is immuned.  Another truth is that those who know better will be judged more harshly and face more consequences.  This is a powerful warning to us today.  Once you have light and truth you become more responsible to it.  You can also do more damage to yourself and others.  That is why the devil works so hard to made leaders fall.  Talk about Jerry Falwell Junior. 

 

 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

 

     Daniel again points out the reason for the disaster they are in.  It was written in the law of Moses.  It was in plain sight and written in black and white.  They had a law, code and set of rules.  They had been taught this law since they were young.  They knew better.  Worst it all could have been avoided.  They could have sought the favor, the forgiveness, grace and mercy of God.  Remember 2 Chron 7:14, they could have turned from their sins and gave attention to the truth.  Remember you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.  That is why we must pray against spiritual blindness and deafness.  They is why we must pray that God will open up minds and hearts to the truth of the gospel.  Basically the people did not seek the favor of God.  They did not turn from their sin and give attention to truth.  Did you know that faith has its intellectual and volitional sides to it.  Explain.  We learn we must seek, turn and give attention to truth.  If we do not Daniel says disaster will come.  The biggest one is eternal damnation and hell.  That is why we must pray, go and love.  Talk about Johnny said about me.  I give God all the glory.  Live your life so well that the town gossip will vouch for you.

 

14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

 

     Daniel closes off this portion of the prayer by destroying a myth about God.  Many people say because is love He will not bring judgment.  This is a myth, lie and falsehood.  God will not hesitate to judge.  He does not want to judge.  He will give multiplied opportunities but He knows when and how to judge.  He knows all and sees all.  Nothing is hid so when he judges it will be fair, right and complete.  God is a balanced personality.  Daniel states that He is right in everything he does.  People always say God is unfair but by whose estimation.  Ours heaven forbid.  We are flawed, imperfect and sinful.  We see things from our own imperfect bias and vision.  We do not have the whole picture.  Our testimony is more to come.  Never, never, make a judgment without knowing all the facts but we do all the time.  God knows everything.  He knows the thoughts and intents f the heart.  He knows our motives and reasons.  He knows our secrets and it is his grace that they are not revealed.  The reason the Jews were in this place and position was simple disobedience.  Let me give you a brief list of things we will be judged on as believers.  Love, motivation, obedience, faithfulness, consistency, integrity, transparency, honesty, accountability, attitude, grace and mercy.   Remember obedience is greater than any sacrifice we can make.   

     So what do we pray for today?  That we would not sin against God.  That we would fulfill the words of Christ.  That we would seek the favor of God and turn from our wicked ways.  That we would remember the Lord is righteous and that we would obey Him.  Simple obedience.