The promise (Daniel 9)

Have you ever had a promise from somebody, and you have waited so expectantly for the thing promised: a special present, a new relationship, a new job opportunity? And then the person comes back and says, I’m sorry, I really thought I could give you what I promised, but unexpected circumstances have intervened, and it’s just not possible; or worse still, they forget that they ever made a promise, or even deny it.

In this chapter we find Daniel remembering a promise - one made over 70 years earlier (verse 2) - a promise that Jerusalem would be repopulated after 70 years of desolation. This was a promise with a difference, because it was God himself who had made it. And many centuries earlier, even Godless Balaam knew, God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil (Numbers 23:19)? So Daniel has faith and confidence to turn to God and ask him what is happening to this promise.

Have you ever really believed that God was going to do something and you felt that your faith was really solid, then it didn't happen? It can be a devastating experience, but also one that helps us to grow. Whenever this happens to me, after the dust has settled and I can look at things a bit more objectively, I invariably find that my faith has not been based on any promise from God. I well remember many years ago having improvements done to our house; my wife and I consulted God about this major investment and felt he gave us the OK to go ahead. Halfway through the works the builder suggested a number of extra things, which would be very useful, but of course added to the overall cost. We ended up going into quite substantial debt as a result and felt angry that God had let us down. When we got through this and were able to hear from him, we felt he said to us, I promised I’d provide for the improvements, but you never consulted me about the extras.

In the Bible faith and promise are inextricably linked together - when I searched for ‘faith’ and ‘promise’ together on my Bible app, no fewer than 22 references came up. Abraham is perhaps the best example. God promised that he would be the father of many nations; but he had no son and he and his wife Sarah were way past the age where you have children. But God had promised him. So, against all hope, Abraham in hope believed/trusted and became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him (Romans 4:18). And the promise is guaranteed to all Abraham’s seed - Jew or Gentile - through faith/trust (Romans 4:16).

We can learn a lot from Daniel about how to handle a promise which God has given to us. First of all, his turning to God was not at all casual or halfhearted. He pleaded with the Lord God in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes (verse 3). How serious are you, am I, about pursuing the promise which God has given to us. How strong is our desire to see it fulfilled? In what ways are we prepared to inconvenience ourselves to pursue it? The Spirit of God is attracted by desire. Always be burning in spirit (Romans 12:11).

Then we see that Daniel did not remind God of his obligations towards his people, nor complain about how he had been treating them - as we are so often prone to do. Most of his prayer is taken up with a confession of his own people’s sin - and he completely identifies himself with them. It is only in the last three verses (17-19) that he actually makes a request. This beautiful humility and submission touched God’s heart. For while he was still praying, the angel Gabriel came to him to give him insight and understanding (verses 20-23); and Daniel received far, far more than he had asked for (see Ephesians 3:20).

Do you have a promise from God that is as yet unfulfilled? Then seek him, pursue the promise with all your heart, yet in that same spirit of humility and submission. Is there a matter where you really want to see God intervene? Then ask him for a promise; and when you have received that promise, fix your faith and trust upon it until you see it become reality. No matter how many promises God has made, they are all “Yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20)