Last Sunday, Will Jackson preached the message “Trust the True King” from Daniel 8, 10, and 11. Though Daniel’s apocalyptic visions were extremely terrifying, they were filled with hope. It was made clear to Daniel that God’s people would continue to suffer under the harsh rule of the kingdoms of this world; however, in the end God’s Kingdom would prevail. The true King would deliver his people!

This truth is the same for us today. Therefore, we must also put our trust in the true King, Jesus, who is the ultimate fulfillment and demonstration of the three points we considered: 1. God is sovereign over earthly kingdoms (8:3-26; 10:13, 20; 11:2-45). 2. God is just to destroy evil rulers (8:7-8, 23-25; 11:2-4, 18-45). 3. God is merciful to redeem his people (10:2-21; 11:14, 29-35).

Read: Daniel 9:1-19

This Sunday, Pastor Ken will preach a sermon from Daniel 9:1-19, where Daniel earnestly seeks God’s mercy and forgiveness regarding Israel’s open shame and sinfulness before God. We will consider how Daniel’s prayer serves as a model for our prayers and how it clearly displays what godly motives for prayer should be.

As you prepare your heart for our corporate gathering, let these sobering words from Charles Spurgeon move you to pray like Daniel prayed. May God give us “a deep sense and clear view of sin, its dreadfulness, and the punishment that it deserves” and thus move us to bow low before his throne, admiring “the grace that saves [us]—the mercy that spares [us]—the love that pardons [us]!”

Reflect: “Bow Low”

TO US, O LORD, BELONGS OPEN SHAME . . . BECAUSE WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU. — DANIEL 9:8

A deep sense and clear view of sin, its dreadfulness, and the punishment that it deserves should make us lie low before the throne. We have sinned as Christians. It is sad that it should be so. We have been favored, and yet we have been ungrateful; privileged beyond most, but we have not brought forth fruit in proportion.

Who is there, although he may have been engaged in the Christian warfare for years, who will not blush when he looks back upon the past? As for our days before we were born again, may they be forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before, yet we have sinned against light and against love—light that has really penetrated our minds, and love in which we have rejoiced. The sin of a pardoned soul is an atrocity! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply compared with the sin of one of God’s elect, who has had communion with Christ and leaned upon Him for his comfort.

Look at David! Many will talk of his sin, but I ask you to look at his repentance and hear his broken bones as each ones of them moans out its mournful confession! Consider his tears as they fall upon the ground, and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have strayed: Let us, therefore, seek the spirit of penitence. Look again at Peter! We often speak of how he denied Christ. Remember, it is written, “He wept bitterly.”

Do we have no denials of our Lord to be lamented with tears? These sins of ours, before and after conversion, would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire if it were not for God’s sovereign mercy, which snatched us like sticks from the fire. My soul, bow down under a sense of your natural sinfulness, and worship your God. Admire the grace that saves you—the mercy that spares you—the love that pardons you!

June 14 Evening Reading in Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon

Sing: Song List for Sunday

1. “Jesus Messiah,” by Chris Tomlin
2. “O Praise the Name (Anástasis),” Arr. Shane & Shane
3. “The Lord Is My Salvation,” Arr. Shane & Shane
4. “Lord, I Need You,” Arr. Shane & Shane