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Good morning. If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join me in
Daniel chapter 9. That's where we're going to be this morning as we continue to work through
this Old Testament book of Daniel. If you're a first-time guest, we are privileged and honored
that you are here worshiping with us today. At the end of the service, my wife and I will be back
at the Connect table, back here to my left. If you wouldn't mind just stopping by there for just a
moment, we'd love to be able to speak with you. We'd love to be able to welcome you face-to-face,
learn your name, and if by chance you have any questions about Willow Ridge Church, about who
we are, what we do, we would love to be able to answer those for you. Also, I want to echo what
Pastor Dave said. Make sure you come back tonight, 4 to 5.30, Harvest Hangout, bring someone with you.
This event is for all ages. I am kind of excited for tonight. It's looking like earlier in the week,
it gets like a 75% chance of rain. At least last time I looked at it before our nine o'clock
discipleship hour, it looked like that was down to nothing for most of the websites. We're hoping
that the rain will stay away, and I am a little surprised that it started feeling as warm as it
felt. Early this morning, I got up to let the dogs out. It was about 36 degrees outside, and because we
are going to have a dunking booth, because that was someone's idea who didn't think through that very
well. Me, we're going to have that, and we'll be in there. But here's what I want to give you as far
as the dunking booth is concerned, because you might want to make sure that you are available.
So, here's when you get to try to dunk people.
Dawn Coulter, our beloved children's minister, who is just precious, she will be in it from 4 to 4.10.
And if she is wet, by the end of that, shame on you. That's all I'm going to say. None of us deserve
God's love, but Dawn deserves it more than the rest of us on this list, okay? All right, so here's the
rest of us on this list. Joel Van Ham will be in the dunking booth from 4.10 to 4.30, all right?
So, stretch the arms, get good and ready for that. Brent Hawkins. Yeah, when you hear, oh yeah, right?
That's when it's good. That's when it's good. Brent Hawkins will be there from 4.30 to 4.50. And he said
something about this morning that if you play softball for one of the high schools, you're probably not
any good and probably couldn't hit the target. He said something like that. So, you might want to be
there. Isn't that what you said, Brent? Close, close, close enough, close enough. Kyle Watts. I know some
of you want to throw things at Kyle. Kyle will be in there from 4.50 to 5.10. And then lastly, guys,
I'm not feeling good today. I woke up. I got a little something going on here. So, Michelle Schultz,
she just spoke up. Michelle Schultz is going to be in there from 5.10 to 5.30. And we're going to move
whoever's throwing it to within three feet for Michelle. Now, I'll be in there from 5.10 to 5.30.
And you will have to at least be able to throw a baseball 75 yards in order to be able to hit it
when I'm in there. Now, we're going to have that. It'll be a fun time tonight. This event is for all
ages. And, you know, somebody asked me, is there going to be anyone else in the Duncan booth? And
here's what I'll say. For enough money, we will put anyone in it. All right? So, just come with cash.
This is no cash app situation. Like, we want cash and we'll get them in there. But we'll look forward
to having you guys with us tonight. All ages, come out, invite people. A wonderful, wonderful time of
fellowship. And so, come out there and soak everyone but Dawn. Don't do that to her. And
then at the end of the service, we will partake in the Lord's Supper together. So, hopefully,
you got one of the element cups as you came in. If you didn't, that's okay. You can go right now and
you can pick those up. They're right at the very back, kind of behind the camera at the entrance of
where you came in. And then we will partake in this together. This is for anyone who's a follower of
Jesus Christ, whether you're a member of our church or not. So, we would love to have you
partake with us if you feel well. I want to read from you this morning in Daniel 9, verse 3.
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy,
with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Would you pray with me?
God, may the words of Daniel
in verse 3
be the position of our hearts.
May it be the declaration of our spirits.
That God, this morning,
it is only
by your goodness and your grace
that we're allowed another moment.
It's only through the work of Christ,
Lord, that we're welcomed into your presence.
And so, God, may our songs of praise
be sweetness
to your ears.
God, may we come to you
humble.
May we come to you
ready to receive
not what we
in and of ourselves
desire,
but, Lord,
what you have for us.
God, I pray
that I will be faithful
to your word
as you are faithful
to us.
And, God,
if there's anyone here
who does not know Christ
as their Lord and Savior,
today will be the day
of their salvation.
And it's in Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Daniel 9,
for the first,
probably two-thirds
of Daniel 9,
is going to deal
with a prayer
that Daniel offers
on behalf of his people.
Daniel, as we've seen
looking back at
Daniel chapter 1,
Daniel chapter 2,
Daniel chapter 6,
is the man
who's founded
and has a strong
foundation of faith
but is rooted in prayer.
That we see
from Daniel
that Daniel
in Daniel 1,
when Daniel
resolves
that this is what
he will be,
that this is what
he'll do,
that we see
that he is a man
of prayer.
In Daniel chapter 2,
when we see
that Daniel has to
not only figure out
the proper interpretation
of the Babylonian king
Nebuchadnezzar's dream
but that Daniel
has to figure out
what the prayer is.
If not,
it could cost him
his life.
We find in that moment
that Daniel
is a man of prayer.
In Daniel chapter 6,
what we see
in Daniel,
that Daniel
makes it
to the lion's den
because Daniel
is faithful
in prayer.
and so we see
this act
of Daniel
continuously
throughout
the book
of Daniel
so far
but then what
we get
is an insight
into the heart
of the man
who is offering
these prayers,
this intercession
for his people
to his God
and it's a beautiful
picture of what
we will find.
It was very
convicting
for me
this week
to ask for
and to lean
into the Holy Spirit
to show me
am I a person
who prays
or am I a person
of prayer?
Am I a person
who prays
or am I a person
of prayer?
And what I would
find in the conviction
of the Holy Spirit
within me
is all too often
that I will be
a person
who prays
but what God
desires
within me
of what God
wants to grow
me into
is that I be
more of a person
of prayer.
That my prayers
are more centered
and focused
in on who
he is
and what he
has done
and the glory
of God
in my life.
And so we're
going to be
welcomed into
to be able
to see this
prayer from Daniel.
So would you
join me?
We'll read
the first two
verses of
Daniel 9.
In the first
year of Darius
the son
of Aharasus
I didn't pronounce
that correctly
at all.
I practiced
that all
morning.
Ahasuerus
by descent
Amid
who was made
king over
the realm
of the Chaldeans
in the first
year of his reign.
I, Daniel,
perceived
in the books
the number
of years
that according
to the word
of the Lord
to Jeremiah
the prophet
must pass
before the end
of the desolations
of Jerusalem
namely
seven years.
I want to ask you
this morning
what prompts
you to pray?
What prompts
you to pray?
What causes you
in those moments
in those days
in the times
of your life
to make the choice
to come to God
in prayer?
What we see here
from Daniel
as we get a glimpse
into his prayer life
is that for Daniel
prayer is a response
to God's word
and submission
to God's will.
Prayer is a response
to God's word
and submission
to God's will.
So again
I ask you the question
what prompts you
to pray?
There can be
many reasons
many instances
that prompt
you and I
to pray.
Do you find
yourself praying
from circumstance
whether it be
a positive
or a negative
circumstance
that is in your life
and the response
of those
is to come
before the Lord
to pray?
Do you pray
from routine?
Are you
early in the morning
a late at night
before a meal
with your family
or maybe even
you've locked
into a task?
I hear people say
often you know
that some of the time
that they can spend
in worship
or in prayer
is in their drive
to work in the morning
right?
Like they will
take that time
set it apart
keep their eyes
open ten and two
and pray to the Lord
right?
Do we pray
from need?
Do we pray
from need?
Is need
what prompts you?
That there's
something that's lacking
there's something
that you desire
there's something
that you long for
and so you make
it known to God.
In Daniel chapter 9
we see this very
interesting aspect
within Daniel
so Daniel has not
yet begun to pray
but instead
it lets us know
the setting
in which Daniel
will be prompted
to pray.
We find Daniel
reading the word
of God.
In verse 2
it says
Daniel
perceived
in the books.
This is his scriptures.
Daniel couldn't go
and pick up a copy
of the Bible
right?
This is what he has
and Daniel was spending
his time
in God's word
reading the word
of God
and specifically
from what we will find
reading the prophet
Jeremiah.
And while reading
the prophet Jeremiah
Daniel comes
onto the understanding
that the desolations
or the exile
of God's people
would last
for 70 years.
You can find this
you can read it
in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 25
talks about this
and Jeremiah 29
talks about this
as well.
So here's what's
kind of cool
when we look
and see
and we picture
and we piece
through
why God does
what God does
in his word
so that he can
communicate things
to us
thousands of years
later who weren't
even around
when this happened
and took place.
I don't know
if you've ever
wondered this
but it seems
that almost
every single
chapter in Daniel
begins with a
time stamp.
Begins with a
time stamp.
You know this
king is in rule
and rules over
this certain amount
of time
and these events
are happening
and take place.
So here's what
we can kind of
deduce from
working some
math as we've
read through
the book of Daniel
and aligning it
with the course
of history.
We know that
Daniel was
exiled as a
teenage boy
probably in
around the year
605 B.C.
based off of
the time stamp
of Daniel 1.
And then we
learn from the
time stamp of
Daniel chapter 9
that it's about
538 B.C.
So what we
find here in
this time is
that Daniel
and his
people are
somewhere around
60 to 67
years of
exile
depending on
when you
believe God
started his
clock for the
exile to begin.
Remember all
the way back in
chapter 1 there
were three
different instances
where the
Babylonians came
into Judah.
They took the
first group in
the first exile
they took the
second group in
the second time
and then they
took the third
group there.
And there are
theologians that
argued does it
start at the
first, does it
start at the
third.
Either way 60
to 67 years
is where we
find this.
And Daniel
now as a
man in his
80s
begins to
read
and begins
to see
and Daniel
through the
reading of
God's word
begins to
have the
tugging of
his heart
that this
exile is
coming to
an end.
Daniel
who we
talk about
the success
of Daniel
Daniel's been
successful
throughout the
exile.
Daniel's risen
to high levels
within the
government both
under the
Babylonian
government and
the Medo-Persian
empire both as
well.
Daniel's been a
who's who.
He's been a
person to know.
He's been a
person who's been
very closely
connected with
the king.
But through it
all he's faced
hardship, he's
faced death, and
through it all
Daniel has
remained
faithful.
Daniel hasn't
gotten bitter
to what he's
walked through.
Daniel hasn't
gotten negative
to God for
what God has
allowed.
In fact what
God has
purposed.
Daniel has not
been persuaded
by the culture
to walk away
and what we
find is that
Daniel comes
to God's
word and
in God's
word finds
out God's
will and
then as a
result of that
is driven
to God
in prayer.
Do you
struggle to
pray?
Do you
struggle to
pray?
Find that
oftentimes that
men and women
when we're
talking to
them with
fellow believers
right?
Like prayer
is something
that people
struggle with
that people
wrestle with
and so I
ask you this
morning do you
struggle to
pray?
The Bible's
gracious to us
God's gracious
to us.
The Bible
tells us in
Romans 8 that
the Holy Spirit
prays for us
when we don't
know what to
pray for.
So that gives
us some comfort
right?
That gives us
some comfort for
you and I
that when our
words are lacking
and the
groanings of
the world
that we
live in
that God
and the
power of
the Holy
Spirit of
what he
works for
and what
he does
and how
he moves
in our
life as
he intercedes
for us
on our
behalf in
his groanings
when we
don't know
what to
pray.
But I
read this
from one
of the
authors
this week
talking about
this passage
of scripture.
He said
but is there
more to it
for you
and I?
He said
do you
struggle
to pray
not simply
because you
don't know
what to
pray for
but do you
struggle to
pray because
you don't
know the
scripture as
you should?
Do you
struggle to
pray because
you don't
find yourself
in a
positioning
and desire
and dependence
on the
very word
of God?
Do you
struggle to
pray because
when you do
read God's
word you
treat it as
a task
to be
pushed
through
and not
an opportunity
to meditate
on the
truth of
God's
word?
Do you
struggle to
know God's
word and
so do you
then struggle
to pray
God's
word?
I thought
about this
a lot
this week
of what
it would
look like
if I
came to
God's
word
to know
the truth
of God
to surrender
to the
will
of God
and so
that I
then know
how to
pray to
God
delight
yourself
in the
Lord
and he
will give
you the
desires
of your
heart
delight
yourself
in the
will
and the
way
of God
and God
will not
change
what he's
going to
do
but he'll
change the
heart of
the person
who offers
the prayer
I want
to try
this exercise
with you
this morning
we'll try
this exercise
of what
does it
look like
to come
to God
in God's
word
and then
pray to
God
I want
to read
to you
a verse
this morning
of what
this could
look like
when you
and I
as the
people
of God
come to
God's
word
to understand
God's
will
for our
lives
and then
to seek
to pray
to God
as a result
Romans 8
28
a very
common verse
I'll have
this verse
on the
screen
behind us
and it
says
and we
know
that for
those
who
love
God
all
things
work
together
for
good
for
those
who
are
called
according
to his
purpose
well how
can we
begin
to
pray
this
how
can we
let
this
be
the
declaration
of
our
heart
and not
just
the
pursuit
of
what
we
read
well
the
first
question
that I
would
ask
you
as
you
evaluate
this
word
this
verse
that's
on the
screen
as you
evaluate
this
word
from
the
Lord
as you
evaluate
this
verse
that he
has
for
you
is
how
does
this
hit
your
mind
what
are you
instantly
drawn
to
what
begins
to
penetrate
into
the
wanderings
and the
curiosities
what is
the truth
that you
find
here
so
some ones
that I'll
just draw
out for
you
as I
prayed
through
this
for
myself
this
morning
and
we
know
and
we
know
here's
how
this
hits
my
mind
that
there
is
truth
in
God's
word
that
there
are
things
that
we
cannot
just
simply
hope
for
as
longing
that
this
might
take
place
but
you
and
I
there's
certainty
in the
promise
of the
word
of
God
and
we
know
and
then
we
continue
on
that
for
those
who
love
God
that
there's
a
beauty
in
the
relationship
that
a
holy
God
has
with
an
imperfect
people
that
when
we
are
saved
by
Christ
for
those
who
love
him
that
there's
this
reciprocal
relationship
that
God
longs
and
desires
to
have
with
us
for
those
who
love
God
all
things
work
together
for
good
I'll
go
back
to
what
Josh
talked
about
this
summer
as he
preached
through
this
verse
in
her
summer
series
right
like
all
things
means
all
things
all
things
means
all
things
and
God's
working
them
all
for
the
good
for
those
who
were
called
according
to
his
purpose
first
God's
will
it's
God's
plan
not
for
those
who
were
called
according
to
their
purpose
but
for
those
who
were
called
according
to
his
purpose
so
we
read
God's
word
it
settles
in
the
mind
and
now
as I
move it
from
the
mind
how
does
it
settle
with
the
heart
how
does
it
settle
with
the
heart
anybody
ever
struggle
with
faith
from
time
to
time
anybody
else
other
than
me
and we
see
that God
I need
to be
desperate
for
you
that
Lord
in the
areas
of
my
life
where
I'm
inconsistent
and believe
in your
word
God
through the
power of
your
Holy
Spirit
Lord
make
me
know
God
your
word
says
and for
those
who
love
God
there
are
things
in my
life
that
I
long
for
and
that
I
love
and
that
I
desire
that
I've
made
greater
than
you
that
I've
been
more
desperate
for
than
you
God
create
in
me
and
grow
within
me
a
deepening
love
for
you
that
is
second
to
none
that
all
things
work
together
for
the
good
God
here's
the
laundry
list
of
things
that
I
see
in
my
life
and
God
I
don't
see
the
good
Lord
I'm
confused
in
the
circumstances
God
I'm
faithless
in
the
outcomes
God
help
me
when
I
can't
see
to
trust
for
those
who
are
called
according
to
his
purpose
God
at the
end of
the day
at the
beginning
of the
morning
and
every
time
in
between
God
may I
surrender
my will
to
your
will
and
that
God
may I
live
for
your
purpose
above
my
own
what
would
it
be
like
in
your
life
and
in
my
life
if
we
came
to
God's
word
not
as
a
means
of
a
check
box
of
what
I
must
accomplish
during
this
five
minute
time
as
I
sip
on
my
coffee
but
what
if
we
came
to
it
with
an
expectation
of
driving
us
to
him
in
prayer
let's
keep
reading
in
Daniel
9
verse
3
Daniel
says
then I
turned
my
face
to
the
Lord
seeking
him
by
prayer
and
pleas
for
mercy
with
fasting
and
sackcloth
and
ashes
the
second
thing
that
we
begin
to
understand
about
prayer
in
the
life
of
Daniel
is
prayer
is
humble
persistence
prayer
is
humble
persistence
Daniel's
going to
give
three
actions
that
we
see
here
that
he
enters
into
during
his
time
of
prayer
and
these
actions
that
Daniel
enters
into
I
think
this
is
important
are
not
actions
that
are
done
in
order
to
change
Daniel
you
see
these
aren't
things
that
Daniel's
going
to
do
to
punish
himself
these
aren't
things
that
Daniel's
going
to do
to pay
for
his
sins
but
instead
what
we
find
is
that
these
actions
that
he's
going
to
do
will
be
a
reflection
of
who
he
has
already
become
of
who
he
is
before
God
the
first
thing
is
that
he
turned
his
face
to
God
he
turned
his
face
to
God
Daniel
in
this
moment
takes
direct
action
in
order
to
come
to
God
in
prayer
you
see
this
is
an
intentional
moment
with
who
he
is
he
turns
his
face
to
God
should
we
pray
without
ceasing
absolutely
the Bible
tells us
to do
that
should
you
engage
in a
continual
on and
on
conversation
with the
Lord
throughout
your
day
from
the time
you wake
up
to
the
time
that
you
go
to
bed
absolutely
but
what
we
find
in
the
life
of
Daniel
is
that
there
is
an
intentionality
in
who
he
is
to
make
sure
at
this
time
that
everything
else
does
not
matter
and
Daniel
turns
his
face
to
God
communicating
is
communicating
it
doesn't
matter
how
we
do
it
let
me
prove
you
wrong
on
that
fellas
it's
your
anniversary
you've
been
married
25
years
you
wake
up
that
morning
you
see
your
wife
she's
standing
there
as
you
walk
out
the
door
to
head
to
work
and
you
walk
past
her
you're
a little
tired
you're
a little
grumpy
and
you
go
what's
for
dinner
tonight
and
then
later
on
you
think
oh
there's
some
important
things
that
I
need
to
say
let
me
just
shoot
that
in
a
text
message
to
her
and
send
it
on
and
that's
good
enough
I've
communicated
now
hopefully
I've
just
painted
a
hypothetical
that
none
of
our
guys
in
here
have
ever
done
if
you're
thinking
the
hypothetical
that
I
just
laid
out
should
be
the
response
of
everyone
Dave
has
some
counseling
hours
that
will
be
open
up
this
week
that
we
would
love
for
you
to
come
and
take
a
part
of
no
it's
the
intentionality
of
the
conversation
it's
the
intentionality
of
making
sure
that
there's
time
between
she
and
I
it's
the
intentionality
of
the
word
it's
not
that
I'm
just
giving
her
quotes
as
I
pass
by
throughout
the
day
but
that
there
becomes
a
point
in
time
in
my
life
that
the
woman
who
I'm
in
covenant
relationship
with
and
she's
in
covenant
relationship
with
me
that
we
have
an
intentionality
of
communication
and
if
that's
important
in
this
relationship
then
how
much
more
important
for
us
is it
in
this
Daniel
turned
his
face
to
God
we've
seen
Daniel
do
this
before
Daniel
6
10
when
Daniel
knew
that
the
document
had
been
signed
he
went
to
his
house
where
he
had
windows
in
his
upper
chamber
open
toward
Jerusalem
he
got
down
on
his
knees
three
times
a
day
and
prayed
and
gave
thanks
before
his
God
as
he
had
done
previously
Daniel
was
told
if
you
pray
if
you
come
to
God
if
you
honor
the
time
and
the
commitment
that
you've
set
before
him
what
awaits
you
is
the
lion's
den
and
Daniel
goes
okay
and
then
Daniel
heads
to
his
house
he
turns
his
face
to
God
and
he
prays
and
he
prays
and
he
prays
here's
an
interesting
thing
when
you
look
at
the
time
stamps
of
Daniel
chapter
9
and
Daniel
chapter
6
they're
the
same
they're
the
same
one
of
the
theologians
that I
read
this
week
he
said
you can't
prove
this
but
this
is
just
what
he
believes
in
his
heart
of
hearts
that
in
Daniel
chapter
6
when
Daniel
is
caught
praying
to
God
and
then
ushered
into
the
lion's
den
and
then
God
saves
him
that
prayer
that
this
the
prayer
is
what
we
read
in
Daniel
9
you
see
there
was
nothing
that
was
going
to
take
him
away
from
his
appointment
turning
your face
towards
something
in the
Bible
means
that
you're
not
predetermining
what
the
outcome
is
that
you're
looking
for
and
instead
you're
looking
for
more
of
who
God
is
Daniel
is
coming
to
God's
word
and
being
in
God's
word
causes
Daniel
to
want
more
of
God
the
second
thing
that
Daniel
does
is
it
says
that
Daniel
fasts
Daniel
fasts
find it
you know
a little
bit ironic
that we
just
advertised
a
women's
night
where
there's
going
to be
food
a
men's
night
where
there's
going
to be
continued
whole
hog
and
then
a
kids
event
where
there's
going
to be
chicken
and
waffles
yes
sign
me
up
for
all
of
those
let's
talk
about
fasting
when we
see this
in
scriptures
withholding
from
food
for
a
time
period
for
the
sake
of
prioritizing
something
else
such
as
prayer
and so
what does
Daniel
do
Daniel
says
this
is
who
I
am
and
this
is
the
priority
and
this
is
the
dependence
on
God
that
I
have
so
I'm
going
to
withhold
I'm
going
to
something
that
I
would
depend
on
to
depend
on
someone
greater
than
even
the
food
that
sustains
me
Daniel
in
his
turning
his
face
to
God
says
I
want
more
of
you
and
now
in
his
fasting
he
communicates
you
are
all
that
I
need
I
want
more
of
you
and
God
you
are
all
that
I
need
Daniel
coming
to
God
looking
Daniel
isn't
coming
to
God
I'm
sorry
to
God
that
he
can't
make
sense
of
instead
Daniel
comes
to
God
and
says
I
want
you
and
you
are
all
that
I
need
the
third
thing
is
Daniel
literally
changes
his
appearance
he
literally
changes
his
appearance
as he
wears
sackcloth
and he
covers
himself
in
ashes
this
is
important
this
is
important
Daniel
is
coming
to
God
in
a
heart
of
repentance
when
someone
was
wanting
to
show
a
repentant
heart
they
would
wear
sackcloth
they
would
sit
in
ashes
they
would
put
ashes
on
the
top
of
their
head
sackcloth
was
a
coarse
material
usually
made
from
black
goat's
hair
and it
was
uncomfortable
to wear
the ashes
signified
desolation
and ruin
sackcloth
and ashes
were used
as public
signs
of
repentance
and humility
before God
very simply
sackcloth
and ashes
were used
as an
outward
sign
of
one's
inward
condition
Daniel
says
as I'm
not okay
with this
Daniel's
gonna say
I'm not
okay
with this
I'm not
okay
with this
and so
Daniel
from his
word
from God's
word
he
seeks
God
and what
he comes
to
is
repentance
verses
4-14
what did
Daniel
repent
of
why
did
Daniel
need
to
repent
he says
I prayed
to the
Lord
my God
I prayed
to the
Lord
my God
and made
confession
saying
oh Lord
the great
and awesome
God
who keeps
covenant
and steadfast
love
with those
who love
him
and keep
his commandments
we have
sinned
and done
wrong
and acted
wickedly
and rebelled
turning aside
from your
commandments
and rules
we have
not listened
to your
servants
the prophets
who spoke
in your
name
to our
kings
and princes
and our
fathers
and to
all the
people
of the
land
to you
oh Lord
belongs
righteousness
but to
us
open
shame
as at
this day
to the
men
of Judah
to the
inhabitants
of Jerusalem
and to
all Israel
those
who are
near
and those
who are
far away
in all
the lands
to which
you have
driven
them
because of
the treachery
that they
have committed
against
you
to us
oh Lord
belongs
open
shame
to our
kings
to our
princes
to our
fathers
because
we
have
sinned
against
you
to the
Lord
our
God
belong
mercy
and
forgiveness
for
we
have
rebelled
against
him
and have
not
obeyed
the
voice
of
the
Lord
our
God
by
walking
in
his
laws
which
he
set
before
us
by
his
servants
the
prophets
all
Israel
has
transgressed
your
law
and
turned
aside
refusing
to
obey
your
voice
and
the
curse
and the
oath
that are
written
in the
law
of
Moses
the
servant
of
God
have
been
poured
out
upon
us
because
we
have
sinned
against
him
he
has
confirmed
his
words
which
he
spoke
against
us
and
against
our
rulers
who
ruled
us
by
bringing
upon
us
a
great
calamity
for
under
the
whole
heaven
there
has
not
been
done
anything
like
is
what's
been
done
against
Jerusalem
as
it
is
written
in
the
law
of
Moses
all
this
calamity
has
come
upon
us
yet
we
have
not
entreated
the
favor
of
the
Lord
our
God
turning
from
our
iniquities
and
gaining
insight
by
your
truth
therefore
the
Lord
has
kept
ready
the
calamity
and
has
brought
it
upon
us
for
the
Lord
our
God
is
righteous
in
all
the
works
he
has
done
we
have
not
obeyed
his
voice
for
Daniel
what we
see
here
is
prayer
is
a
confession
of
self
and
prayer
is
a
cry
for
God's
people
prayer
is
a
confession
of
self
and
a
cry
for
God's
people
remember
where
Daniel
began
Daniel
did not
begin
in a
circumstance
Daniel
did not
begin
an
emotional
outbreak
Daniel
did not
begin
in a
complicated
moment
in his
day
Daniel
began
in
God's
word
and
here's
what
happens
when
you
and
I
get
into
God's
word
here's
what
we
find
out
we
find
out
who
we
are
in
light
of
who
God
is
when
you
and
I
are
in
God's
word
it
should
always
bring
us
to
the
sweet
position
the
sweet
spot
of
repentance
you
see
repentance
isn't guilt
heaped
on you
it's
freedom
that we
find
in
Christ
Romans
2
4
says
God's
kindness
is meant
to lead
you
to
repentance
and
so
it's
not
out
of
fear
that
we
repent
but
it's
out
of
the
kindness
of
who
God
is
that
we
repent
I
find
this
fascinating
about
Daniel
when
you
read
through
this
prayer
of
confession
I
want
to
be
honest
with
you
like
Daniel
is
one
of
my
biblical
heroes
like
when
we
read
through
this
what
do
we
notice
faithfulness
after
faithfulness
after
faithfulness
resolve
after
resolve
after
resolve
notice
what
Daniel
does
not
do
notice
what
Daniel
doesn't
say
God
I'm
so
glad
I'm
getting
this
right
God
when
all
of
them
were
eating
of
the
king's
meat
Lord
it
wasn't
me
Lord
when
all
of
them
were
participating
in
the
party
it
wasn't
me
God
when
all
of
Judah
begins
to
wander
into
the
Babylonians
and
the
Medo
Persians
God
it's
not
me
God
it's
them
God
look
at
what
they're
doing
God
bring
your
wrath
and
your
judgment
on
them
what
I
find
remarkable
about
what
Daniel
does
is
Daniel
comes
before
the
Lord
in
all
humility
turning
his face
to
him
and
fasting
in
sack
cloth
in
ashes
and
he
says
we
have
not
listened
we
have
sinned
against
you
we
have
transgressed
we
have
ignored
what
has
been
written
we
have
sinned
against
you
and
you
alone
we
have
not
obeyed
your
voice
we
when
you
pray
when
you
pray
is
it
not
only
a
confession
of
you
but
do
you
feel
the
burden
of
the
we
of
the
we
that
we
are
God's
people
that
we
cry
out
for
one
another
that
we
don't
just
see
other
people's
sin
as
the
problem
but
we
see
our
sin
as
it
is
as
well
we've
all
wandered
we've
all
strayed
we
in
this
if
Daniel
can
align
with
them
then
can
we
align
with
one
another
as
we
come
before
the
Lord
Daniel
was
in
God's
word
and
God's
word
showed
him
who
he
was
in
spite
of
all
that
we
know
we
don't
know
the
dark
spots
of
his
heart
I'm
reminded
of the
prophet
Isaiah
that
in
Isaiah
6
5
as
Isaiah
is
taken
into
a
vision
before
the
Lord
comes
and
he
sees
God
and
this
is
Isaiah
response
in
Isaiah
6
5
he
said
and
I
said
woe
is
me
the
prophet
Isaiah
woe
is
me
for
I
am
lost
for
I
am
a
man
of
unclean
lips
and
I
dwell
in
the
midst
of
a
people
of
unclean
lips
for
my
eyes
have
seen
the
King
the
Lord
of
host
but
the
Pharisee
in
us
the
legalist
in
us
the
self
righteous
in
us
wants
to
look
at
who
we
are
and
think
that
we're
better
wants
to
look
at
who
we
are
and
think
this
is
what
we
deserve
wants
to
look at
what
everyone
else
is
doing
and
say
God
pour
out
on
them
but
in
them
there's
the
we
and
there's
humility
for
the
King
Jesus
teaches
this
in
his
parable
of
how
to
pray
in
Luke
chapter
18
it
says
this
he
also
taught
this
parable
to
some
who
trusted
in
themselves
that
they
were
righteous
and
treated
others
with
contempt
let's
pause
there
for
just
a
second
let
me
say
something
that
can
get
me
in
trouble
thank
you
Beverly
I'm
afraid
that
this
may
be
a
very
strong
description
of the
church
in
America
Jesus
told
this
parable
to
some
who
trusted
in
themselves
that
they
were
righteous
that
they
deserved
it
they
had
accomplished
something
and
treated
others
with
contempt
Jesus
two
men
went
into
the
temple
to
pray
one
a
Pharisee
the
other
a
tax
collector
doesn't
get
worse
than
the
tax
collector
doesn't
get
more
morally
unacceptable
than
the
tax
collector
the
tax
collector
is a
traitor
he's a
thief
he's a
robber
he's
turned
from
his
own
people
he
discussed
his
family
he
discussed
the
people
around
him
how
dare
he
do
the
things
that
he
do
he
says
the
Pharisee
standing
by
himself
prayed
this
God
I
thank
you
that
I
am
not
like
other
men
extortioners
unjust
adulterers
or
even
this
tax
collector
I
fast
twice
a
week
I
give
tithes
of all
that I
get
can I
tell you
the heart
of the
Pharisees
prayer
is
God
aren't
you
glad
that
I'm
on
your
team
God
you
need
more
of
me
you
need
me
to
do
what
I'm
going
to
do
for
you
need
me
to
provide
what
I'm
going
to
provide
and
he
stands
there
in
his
self
righteousness
he
stands
there
in
his
judgment
he
stands
there
as
someone
who
knows
the
law
but
who
has
not
been
transformed
by
his
creator
if
Daniel
can't
say
look at
what
I've
done
then
how
can
he
and
how
can
we
but
the
tax
collector
verse
13
but
the
tax
collector
standing
far
off
would
not
even
lift
his
eyes
up
to
heaven
but
beat
his
breast
saying
God
be
merciful
to
me
a
sinner
what's
he doing
he's doing
the same
thing
Daniel
did
he's doing
the same
thing
Daniel
did
Daniel
turned
his
face
to
the
Lord
it's
a
setting
it's
a
positioning
it's
a
positioning
of
the
heart
that
the
tax
collector
does
the
exact
same
thing
except
in
humility
he
can't
hold
his
head
up
he
beats
his
chest
seems
weird
doesn't
it
he's
mourning
this
was an
act
of
mourning
where
you
would
mourn
over
the
death
of
someone
beat
yourself
he's
mourning
over
his
sin
Jesus
says
in
verse
14
I
tell
you
this
man
went
down
to
his
house
justified
rather
than
the
other
one
for
everyone
who
exalts
himself
will
be
humbled
but
the
one
who
humbles
himself
will
be
exalted
Billy
Graham
said
this
Billy
Graham
said
this
to
get
nations
back
on
their
feet
we
must
first
get
down
on
our
knees
to
get
nations
back
on
their
feet
we
must
first
get
down
on
our
knees
what
if
we
looked
at
the
lostness
in
our
world
as
not
the
problem
what
if
we
looked
at
the
lostness
of
people
in
our
community
not
as
what
stops
us
but
the
mission
that
God
has
called
us
to
verse
15
through
19
we'll
close
with
this
section
and
now
oh
Lord
our
God
who
brought
your
people
out
of
the
land
of
Egypt
with
a
mighty
hand
and
have
made
a
name
for
yourself
as
at
this
day
we
have
sinned
and
done
wickedly
oh
Lord
according
to
all
your
righteous
acts
let
your
anger
and
your
wrath
turn
away
from
your
city
Jerusalem
your
holy
hill
because
of
our
sins
and
for
the
iniquities
of our
fathers
Jerusalem
and
your
people
have
become
a
byword
among
all
who
are
around
us
now
therefore
oh
God
listen
to
the
prayer
of
your
servant
and
to
his
pleas
for
mercy
and
for
your
own
sake
oh
Lord
make
your
face
to
shine
upon
the
sanctuary
which
is
desolate
oh
my
God
incline
your
ear
and
hear
open
your
eyes
and
see
our
desolations
in
the
city
that
is
called
by
your
name
for
we
do
not
present
our
pleas
before
you
because
of
our
righteousness
but
because
of
your
great
mercy
oh
Lord
hear
oh
Lord
forgive
oh
Lord
pay
attention
and
act
delay
not
for
your
own
sake
oh
my
God
because
your
city
and
your
people
are
called
by
your
name
lastly
what
we
see
here
in
Daniel
is
prayer
is
dependent
on
the
character
of
God
it
seems
like
Daniel
gets
a little
bossy
here
with
God
do
this
God
do
that
God
forgive
God
show
mercy
oh
God
hear
pay
attention
these
are
what
this
is
what
Daniel
saying
to
God
is
Daniel
being
bossy
to
God
is
Daniel
trying
to
control
the
moment
with
God
absolutely
not
what's
Daniel
doing
Daniel
is
saying
to
God
what
God
has
said
he
will
do
Daniel
is
aligning
and
Daniel
is
saying
if
all
of
this
if
salvation
is
going
to
be
possible
it
comes
from
the
character
of
God
last
night
in
the
Bradbury
house
we
watched
a
movie
which
if
you're
a
fan
of
a
football
team
from
the
state
of
South
Carolina
let
me
just
encourage
you
that
watching
a
movie
with
your
family
is
probably
a
better
idea
right
now
than
watching
a
football
game
we
watched
a
movie
that
was
filmed
in
1996
I'm
going
to
tell
a
little
bit
about
what
happens
at
the
end
of
the
movie
if
you're
disappointed
because
I
ruined
it
for
you
again
this
movie
came
out
in
1996
you've
had
time
to
see
it
the
movie
is
the
movie
is
a
time
to
kill
based
upon
a
John
Grishan
novel
focused
around
a lot
of
characters
but
my
favorite
character
is
a
man
named
Carl
Lee
Haley
played
by
Samuel
L
Jackson
movie
stars
Matthew
McConaughey
it's
got
Kiefer
Sullivan
it's
got
Donald
Sullivan
it's
got
Sandra
Bullock
it's
got
the
younger
Judd
daughter
whichever
one
she
is
right
and
in
this
movie
Carl
Lee
Haley
is
charged
with
the
murder
of
two
men
he
did
kill
these
men
he
killed
these
men
because
they
assaulted
and
tried
to
kill
his
daughter
and
in
the
movie
everybody
knows
what
Carl
Lee
Haley
did
because
he
did
it
publicly
he
did
it
in
the
courthouse
he
murdered
these
men
execution
style
in
front
of
the
sheriff
in
front
of
attorneys
in
front
of
reporters
everyone
knows
what
Carl
Lee
Haley
did
the
issue
though
as he
goes
to
stand
trial
is
would
they
find
him
guilty
because
he
acted
knowingly
or
innocent
because
he
acted
in
insanity
phenomenal
movie
it
made
him
a
cry
the
movie
ends
here
it
is
here
you
go
the
movie
ends
as a
young
boy
runs
out
of
the
courthouse
into
a
setting
of
racial
tension
and
proclaims
Carl
Lee
is
innocent
Matthew
McConaughey
is
the
hero
everything
plays
out
the
way
that
you
hoped
it
played
out
as
you
came
through
a
group
of
men
and
women
determined
that
he
was
innocent
what
God's
word
tells
us
is
that
we
are
not
innocent
that
we
are
guilty
I
am
guilty
of
sin
you
are
guilty
of
sin
we've
done
it
and
in
and
of
our
self
there's
no
hope
in
and
of
our
self
there's
nothing
to
fix
in
and
of
our
self
there's
not
more
rights
that we
can do
to
overcome
the
wrong
we
can't
save
ourselves
we
can't
even
save
one
another
and
what
we
need
is
for
God
to
do
within
his
character
what
God
has
said
he
would
do
and
so
God
does
and
he
sends
a
savior
and
he
sends
his
son
who
dies
on
a
cross
so
that
you
and
I
can
experience
the
forgiveness
of
God
straight
from
the
heart
of
God
Daniel
says
God
we're
guilty
forgive
us
for
your
name
and
so
God
forgives
his
forgiveness
is found
in
Christ
and
in
Christ
alone
that
Jesus
not
because
of
our
goodness
Jesus
not
because
we
deserved
it
Jesus
not
for
our
name
but
because
of
the
goodness
of
God
comes
and
he
dies
and
he
dies
a death
on the
cross
to pay
the price
for
your
sin
and
my
sin
and
the
sins
of
the
world
and
that
forgiveness
is given
to
us
for
his
name
and
his
glory
not
only
does
his
blood
wash
us
and
make
us
clean
but
the
punishment
that
he
endures
is
the
wrath
that
we
deserve
and
he
endures
it
for
you
and
I
on
the
cross
that
even
though
we've
known
we've
disobeyed
even
though
we've
known
and
we've
wandered
God
forgives
us
as
we
go
into
our
time
of
response
do
you
know
that
God
has
forgiven
you
do
you
know
that
he's
forgiven
you
he's
forgiven
you
of
every
single
thing
that
you've
ever
done
he's
forgiven
you
and
offered
it
to
you
forgiveness
isn't
just
what
God
does
forgiveness
is
who
God
is
that
in
his
holiness
he
can't
ignore
your
sin
and in
his
love
he
provides
a
payment
for
your
sin
God
forgives
you
see
it's
not
about
getting
cleaned
up
and
getting
fixed
up
and
being
made
right
it's
not
about
figuring
it out
and doing
it
yourself
it's
not
something
that anyone
else
can
do
for
you
as
much
as
we
may
love
one
another
it's
done
by
God
and
God
alone
and
that
just
as
God
let
his
people
out
of
Egypt
God
too
can
lead
you
and
I
out
of
the
death
of
our
sin
and
that's
what
he
offers
and
that's
what
he
presents
as
we
go
into
our
time
of
worship
today
as
you
respond
to
what
God
has
done
and
what
he's
called
you
to
I'm
going
to
challenge
you
to be
reminded
of
the
sweetness
that
is
found
in
repentance
before
the
Lord
to
come
to
him
confessed
to
come
to
him
ready
come
to
him
open
repenting
for
what
you've
done
and
in
glory
for
who
he
is
if
there's
anyone
else
that
you
need
to
forgive
that
you
would
set
that
Bible
tells
us
to
forgive
one
another
as
Christ
has
forgiven
us
that
you
would
do
so
that
you
were
prepared
and
ready
to
acknowledge
the
sacrifice
that
Christ
made
would
you
pray
with
me
Lord
God
we
come
to
you
this
morning
in
thanksgiving
for
who
you
are
Lord
and
what
you've
done
God
we
are
sinners
each
and
every
one
of
us
Lord
we
do
not
deserve
your
kindness
and
mercy
but
God
we
thank
you
that
you
give
it
to
us
and
that
it
is
found
in
Christ
in
Christ
alone
God
work
in
our
hearts
God
bring
us
to
the
spot
of
repentance
before
you
God
create
in
us
a
desire
God
would
we
turn
our
faces
to
you
coming
to
you
in
desperation
but
acknowledging
you
are
all
that
we
need
and
God
while
we
cannot
cover
ourselves
in
sackcloth
and
ash
Lord
may
the
position
of
our
spirit
be
there
Lord
that
we
mourn
for
who
we
are
and
we
celebrate
you
for
what
you
have
done
Jesus
we
love
you
and
we
praise
you
in
your
name
we
pray
amen
that's
it
for
this
week's
message
be
sure
to
check
back
next
week
for
a
new
episode
and
in
the
meantime
you
can
visit
us
online
at
willowridgechurch.org
or by
searching
for
Willowridge
Church
on
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and
YouTube
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again
for
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