Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Daniel 9:18 (KJV)
Context
Daniel 9 records the prophet’s prayer during the Babylonian captivity, when Jerusalem and the temple lay in ruins. Daniel confesses the sins of Israel and pleads for God to restore His people and His city.
Meaning
Daniel opens with the intimate address “O my God,” expressing a personal relationship with the Lord. He asks God to “incline thine ear, and hear” and to “open thine eyes, and behold our desolations.” This language is anthropomorphic, using human terms to convey Daniel’s urgent desire for God to attend to the desperate situation of His people.
The “desolations” refer to the city and temple reduced to rubble, the land forsaken and uncultivated. Jerusalem is called “by thy name,” signifying that God has uniquely claimed this city; its ruin reflects on His honor and covenant relationship with Israel.
Daniel explicitly states that their supplications are not presented “for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” He acknowledges that the people have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. The basis of his appeal is not human merit but God’s abundant compassion and covenant love.
Biblical connections
The phrase “the city which is called by thy name” connects to God’s promise to dwell among His people in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:11; 1 Kings 8:29). The desolation is a direct result of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness, as Daniel confessed earlier in the chapter (Daniel 9:11-14).
Application
Humble Dependence: Daniel’s prayer is marked by humility, acknowledging the sins of the people and their need for God’s mercy. We learn the importance of approaching God in humility, recognizing our dependence on Him and seeking His mercy rather than relying on our own righteousness.
Intercessory Prayer: Daniel intercedes on behalf of the nation of Israel, demonstrating the role of intercessory prayer. We can learn from Daniel’s example by praying for the needs of others, lifting them up before God, and seeking His intervention in their lives.
Trusting in God’s Character: Daniel appeals to God’s “great mercies” as the basis for his petition. We can learn to trust in the character of God, relying on His faithfulness, love, and mercy when we approach Him in prayer. Our confidence should be in God’s nature and His ability to respond according to His will.
Seeking Restoration: Daniel’s prayer is focused on seeking the restoration of Jerusalem and the forgiveness of sins. We learn the importance of acknowledging our own sins, repenting, and seeking God’s forgiveness and restoration in our lives.
Reflection
Daniel 9:18 highlights the humility of Daniel’s prayer, his reliance on God’s character, and his plea for God’s mercy and restoration. It teaches us the importance of approaching God in humility, interceding for others, and seeking His forgiveness and restoration based on His character and faithfulness.
