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.

22 He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.

23 At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. So consider the message and understand the vision

— Daniel 9:20-23

Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

— Psalm 141:2

At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command.

— 1 Kings 18:36

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Daniel’s deep affinity for his homeland flows through his account. Daniel mentioned God’s “holy hill” and Gabriel’s arrival “about the time of the evening sacrifice.” This holy hill refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the site where the Jewish temple stood before being destroyed in Babylon’s conquest.
The temple symbolized God’s presence among His people. Daniel habitually prayed facing toward Jerusalem even while exiled in a foreign land.

God sent Angel Gabriel to Daniel. Gabriel commended Daniel as “highly esteemed.” Gabriel gave Daniel insight and understanding to help him deliver a profound word for God’s people. Not only did Gabriel confirm the imminent end of Israel’s exile, but he unfurled a timeline leading to the coming of the promised and long-anticipated Messiah. Daniel had lived faithfully in prayer, devotion to God, and humility in service. He would be commissioned to share the good news of return, restoration, and redemption by the Anointed One.