10 For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

— Jeremiah 29:10-14

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.”

20 While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain

21 while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.

— Daniel 19:19-21

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Prophet Jeremiah prophesied that the captivated children of Israel would returned to Judah after 70 years of exile to Babylon. Knowing the end of the 70 years drew near, Daniel did not take God’s promise for granted. Daniel boldly and faithfully cried out: “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” In a desperate yet confident prayer that stood on the foundation of God’s Word, Daniel declared and asked God to fulfill His promise.

God listens to and answers prayer. His answers may be inaudible, delayed, or even beyond our expectations, but they will always align with His sovereign and perfect plan. As Daniel continued praying and confessing in humility for himself and his people, he proved himself a worthy recipient of God’s message. Daniel lifted his request to God. Revealing His heart for His people, God sent an angelic delivery of His heavenly answer to Daniel through Gabriel swiftly.