O Lord, Hear and Forgive

Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Daniel 9:11-19 KJV 

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As [it is] written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 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. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why had Israel been deported to a foreign land? (v.11)
2) How were God's words confirmed to His people? (v.12)
3) Though Israel had disobeyed God's laws, what had they failed to do so that the Lord would relent in allowing the curse from coming upon them? (v.13)
4) Why was the Lord right in allowing calamity to befall Israel? (v.14)
5) What was Daniel's prayer to the Lord on behalf of God's people? (v.15-19)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Have you ever committed a sin that you did not confess to the Lord immediately? If so, please describe what happened following one such instance.
7) What should be the response of your spiritual leaders when your family, church, or nation have transgressed God's laws?
8) Why should the Lord hear the prayers of those who intercede for His people? 

LIFE LESSONS
9) God expects His commands (words) to be believed.
10) Corporate prayer is the only acceptable appeal when a group of people have transgressed God's commands.
11) The Lord will hear the prayers of His intercessors when they pray on behalf of their people, because of who He is, not because of who they are.