[Sung Psalm: 111]
Daniel sees the broken-down church in his day – much as we look at the broken-down church in our day – as the city of God appears to lie in bondage to the false glory of the city of man - we must pray that God's holy name would be vindicated.
"O God, have mercy upon your people, not because of our righteousness, but because we are called by your name! Your reputation – the sanctity of your name, O God, is at stake! Let your name be regarded as holy! And this will only happen as the nations are converted to your will, and as your church grows in the grace and wisdom of Christ!"
We need to have the same confidence as Daniel. Daniel remembered God's promises, and he prayed that God's name would be glorified. He was confident that God would act, because
1) God had promised, and
2) "your city and your people are called by your name."
We are now citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.
And more than that, we are children of our heavenly Father. We should therefore pray with boldness and confidence that what he has promised, he will do, because we are called by his name.
God has placed his name upon you in your baptism.
The reason why God will answer your prayers is not because of how good you are. It is because you are called by his name. His reputation is at stake... |
