Trusting God

Q4. (9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? Daniel’s essential prayer was a plea for mercy. What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? The various grounds of Daniel’s appeal were: God’s Precedent - He delivered Israel from Egypt and He can deliver them from Babylon. God’s Glory – God’s glory was shown in the deliverance of His people from Egypt and it will be shown when He delivers them from the Babylonians. God’s Righteousness – When God delivers His people it will show that He is a merciful God. God’s Personal Identification with Jerusalem – Jerusalem bears God’s name, and is desolate. When God delivers His people it will erase the scorn they have had to carry. Worship in God’s Temple – Daniel is appealing to God to let His people worship in His Temple for His sake. God’s Mercy – Daniel is appealing to God’s character and favor. How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? Daniel 9:20-23 - “And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.” (KJV) God answers the prayer of Daniel while he was praying. We can see the excitement of answered prayer when Daniel repeats himself in verses 20 and 21. The angel Gabriel touched Daniel and brought the answer to his prayer from God.

Q3. (9:5) Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his people? He didn't commit them. Daniel identifies himself with the sins of his people, because he is interceding for them to save them. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for his people? Jesus and Daniel both interceded for their people in order to save them from the wrath of sin they rightly deserved. Humbly they both come to God carrying a heavy load, and they both take ownership for the sins of others so that they can intercede for them.

Q2. (9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? Daniel’s demeanor as he prayed was one of humility. How does he prepare? Daniel prepared by fasting, and by putting on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning. He was earnestly seeking God’s mercy and favor for sinful people. Why is this so important in this case? It was important for Daniel to prepare himself before he prayed for because he was coming before God representing his people and wanted penitence from God. In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? We should also prepare ourselves before we come before a Holy God recognizing that we are the ones who need mercy and forgiveness, and it is only God who can completely grant our request.

Q1. (9:1-3) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? Reading God’s Word encouraged Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland. While he was reading the writings of Jeremiah Daniel reads that the 70 years was about to be fulfilled and that God was going to punish the king of Babylon and his nation. What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? There are several character traits that I see in Daniel that may have brought this encouragement to pass, but the one that stands out to me is compassion. Daniel exhibited great kindness, concern, and care for his people to bring them before a mighty God who he knew could deliver them completely.

Q4. (139:23-24) Why is this prayer of surrender to God so difficult to pray? This prayer of surrender to God is difficult to pray, because it is hard to give over control to someone else. When was the first time you prayed this kind of prayer to God? I prayed this type of prayer several times in my Christian life. The first time was for salvation when I surrendered my life to Christ as my Savior, later when I rededicated my life back to Christ fully after straying, and over the years I have had to surrender my will and my way to God’s will and His ways. What was the result? The results of surrender brought, freedom, peace, strength, comfort, and spiritual victory that only comes from giving my life over to a Holy God. Can a person be a genuine disciple without praying this kind of prayer? No!!! A genuine disciple is one who has fully given their life over to the Lord, for His service and purpose. By fully, I mean that there are disciples who are not totally following the Lord in their daily lives and are not praying without ceasing, studying the Word daily, attending church regularly for fellowship and worship. In which, God in His Word, the Bible, has instructed us to do.

Q3. (139:13-16) How is an awareness of God's involvement in your prenatal development meant to encourage you? An awareness of God’s involvement in my prenatal development encourages me that as my Creator, the Creator of my body, He knows me from my head to my toe, from inside of me to the outside of me, and has made me unique and special for Him alone. What might this mean to a young woman carrying a child? For a young woman carrying a child she should be honored knowing that God has formed her child and it should be an honor and privilege carrying a baby made by God’s own Hands. A young father-to-be? A young father-to-be should be honored that God used Him as a vessel to be used to bring a child into the world. Why is such knowledge overwhelming to us? The creation of life and even the universe is without comprehension when we think and learn about the wonders of how God created them. God is truly great and awesome and it is encouraging to know that He is concerned about the smallest details of our bodies, and anything that He has created

Q2. (139:5, 10). In verses 5 and 10, how does God's hand touch the psalmist? God’s hand is upon psalmist, David, for good. He is leading, guiding, and directing David along the right path. Have you ever felt God's hand on you in a special way? Yes!!! Was it for your good? What was it like? God has helped me over the years when I felt depressed, worried, in pain, was persecuted, or whatever the case God saw me through. No matter the situation God worked it out to His good. Thank you Lord. Romans 8:26-28 – “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV)

Q1. (139:7) Why do people sometimes want to flee from God? People sometimes want to flee from God when they are tempted to sin, when they are in a sin that they do not want to give up, or when God tells them to do something and they do not want to do it they run like Jonah. Why do people imagine that God doesn't know what they do? People imagine that God doesn’t know what they are doing, because they are seeing God as man who is not finite in his being or thinking. Have you ever felt this way? Yes!!! When I realized that I could not run away from God and that I was grieving Him I asked for forgiveness because I love God too much to live outside of His will.

Q4. (20:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Hezekiah was asking for healing based on God’s promise of the Messiah coming through the line of David. Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? Personal righteousness and holiness is important in getting our prayers answered, because God wants His children to be obedient to Him. In James 5:16b, God stated “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” God encourages us to live an holy, righteous, and upright life, so that, He can honor us with blessing, success, and answered prayer when we live according to His Will. Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? Unrighteousness prevents answered prayer, because God has to discipline those who are disobedient. When we are disobedient, God is not quick to answer our prayers when we are rebellious. He does not reward disobedience. I John 3:19-24 – “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 3And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” John 15:7 – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Q3. Why is Hezekiah's healing important for his nation? Hezekiah’s healing is important for his nation, because there would be no leader or successor if he died. There would be no heir to carry on the line of Davidic kings promised centuries before that would culminate in a Messiah. 2 Samuel 7:11-16 – “And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”(KJV) How did it relate to God's promises to David? God’s promises relate to David, because God had promised an unbroken line of David’s sons upon the throne.

Q2. (19:15) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer (verse 15) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer? The first two sentences of Hezekiah’s prayer correspond to the first sentence of the Lord’s Prayer which begins: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” How are they important to faith? Recognizing and seeing God as Holy and is Heaven is important to faith, because it reminds us of God’s power and that He is the only true God. It strengthens my faith because I see that God is not limited to Heaven or to Earth. God’s power has no limitation. How are they important to God answering the prayer? Recognizing God as the only true God, the Holy God who is in Heaven is important to know that God will answer our prayer, because He made heaven and earth and His power is limitless.

Q1. (19:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy's message before the Lord? The significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy’s message before the Lord shows that he trusted in the Lord to take care of his problems. He was depending on God to fight his battles. What is the underlying principle illustrated here? The underlying principle illustrated here is to bring God’s problems to Him, trusting Him to fight His own battle. We are to trust and have confidence in the greatness of the power of God. How can we apply this principle to our own lives? We can apply this principle to our lives by laying everything before the Lord, so He can give us true and lasting victory. What happens when we don't apply this principle? If we do not apply this principle to our lives we will become discouraged, and give up.

Q4. Why is a person's attitude with regard to giving related to that person's attitude towards praise? A person’s attitude with regard to giving is related to that person’s attitude towards praise when we hear and see how they view or feel about their life and possessions. Is what they have because of what they have done, or for what God has done for them? Who are they praising and worshipping? What and where are they spending all of their time and energy at and in? This tells the true heart of a worshipper of God. Why does an attitude of possessiveness with regards to giving get in the way of worship? An attitude of possessiveness with regard to giving get in the way of worship, because we: (1) To believe that we earned our own way by the sweat of our own brow, and (2) To hold our possessions tightly as our own. This is where we get in trouble with God. We believe that our wealth belongs to us rather than to God. In what sense do all your possessions belong to God? David said it all in I Chronicles 29:14-16 – “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously26 as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.” Everything I have comes from the Hand of God, and belongs to Him. What then should be your relationship to your possessions? When I live my life that everything I own and have comes from God then my relationship to my possessions will be held lightly, and I will view them the way God wants me to see them as blessings from Him. It is this right thinking that will help me not to fall into the trap of what I have obtained. How will these truths re-energize your giving? Your praise? These truths that all that I have comes from God re-energizes my giving and praise, because I see how much I have been blessed by Him to have these possessions.

Q3. Verses 11 and 12 both attribute various characteristics to God, such as glory, honor, and might. How might you begin to mention God's greatness in your own prayers? When I pray to God I need to FOCUS more on the characteristics and attributes of God, His glory, His honor, His love, and His power and might, and less on my own meager needs when compared to a Holy God. Where is this kind of praise found by example in the Lord's Prayer? Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) – “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” In the Lord’s Prayer, we see praise is to God when Jesus tells His disciples to pray in this manner: 1. Recognized God, 2. Recognized God as Holy, 3. Recognized God’s kingdom, 4. Recognized that it is His Will do be done in heaven and on earth, 5. Recognized God’s power and glory, 6. Recognized that He is Eternal. What are your favorite songs that point to God's greatness? Great Is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, How Majestic Is Your Name, He Is Lord, and Holy, Holy, Holy.

Q2. In what way does praise exalt God? Praise exalts God when we pay tribute to Him by expressing out loud, in song, or prayer the respect and honor we have for Him. Why should we exalt God? We should exalt God openly because it encourages us and others to see God as the exalted One. It shows God’s greatness, power, glory, majesty, and splendor. What does this exaltation do in us? When we exalt God it strengthens our own faith. What does it say about us? When we exalt God it is letting the world know that we thank and praise Him for His love for us, for all that He has done for us, and we are praising Him for all that He is doing in and through us. Exalting God displays the faith that we proclaim as God’s children.

Q1. In what way do our prayers of praise "bless" God? Our prayers of praise “bless” God, because we are extolling and worshipping Him in His greatness, glory and splendor. We are recognizing and expressing in worship all of the reasons we glorify, honor, and is thankful to God for His everlasting goodness, grace, mercy, and many blessings. What do we mere humans have that God desires in a blessing? As mere humans, we have our whole body, soul, and mind that God desires in a blessing. God wants us to worship and bless Him with our hands, hearts, voices, and to lay ourselves prostrate before a Holy God. What are prayers like, that don't include blessing God? Prayers that don’t include blessing God is empty, because they are self seeking, and selfish. A person is only asking and desiring what God can do for them and not thanking and worshipping God for what He has and will do in and through them.

Q4. What does it mean to have a broken heart and spirit? When a person has a broken heart and spirit it means that they have become aware of a sin or transgression that they have committed. This awareness physically and emotionally crushes them, and breaks the relationship. Why is this essential in the prayer for pardon? This is essential in the prayer for pardon, because a relationship has been injured and must be restored. In what sense is this a "sacrifice"? This is a “sacrifice,” because a person is offering up themselves and surrendering their wrongful ways and desires to repair a broken fellowship and relationship. Why do we tend to resist a "broken and contrite heart" in ourselves? We tend to resist a “broken and contrite heart” in ourselves, because many times we refuse or do not see that what we are doing hinders God’s Word, or that it is affecting our relationship with God. We are lifted up in pride, and is blinded by the truth of God's Word when we are selfish and are focusing on our sinful actions.

Q4. What does it mean to have a broken heart and spirit? When a person has a broken heart and spirit it means that they have become aware of a sin or transgression that they have committed. This awareness physically and emotionally crushes them, and breaks the relationship. Why is this essential in the prayer for pardon? This is essential in the prayer for pardon, because a relationship has been injured and must be restored. In what sense is this a "sacrifice"? This is a “sacrifice,” because a person is offering up themselves and surrendering their wrongful ways and desires to repair a broken fellowship and relationship. Why do we tend to resist a "broken and contrite heart" in ourselves? We tend to resist a “broken and contrite heart” in ourselves, because many times we refuse or do not see that what we are doing hinders God’s Word, or that it is affecting our relationship with God. We are lifted up in pride, and is blinded by the truth of God's Word when we are selfish and are focusing on our sinful actions.

Q3. Is it possible to have a pure heart? Yes, it is possible to have a pure heart. us "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9) How does God bring about a pure heart? God brings about a pure heart by renewing those who desire and want a pure heart. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (51:10) What is our part in this? When we want a pure heart it is our part to confess and ask for pardon and forgiveness.

Q2. In his prayer does David seek to minimize his sins? To maximize them? No, David does not hide, minimize, or maximize his sins. He fully owes up to his sin before a Holy God, and takes full responsibility for his action. Why does an authentic prayer for pardon require clear, unvarnished acknowledgement of sin to be effective? An authentic prayer for pardon requires clear, unvarnished acknowledgement of sin to be effective when a person recognizes that he/she did wrong in the sight of God, and broke fellowship with Him.

Q1. In what way does a prayer for pardon require faith? What is that faith based on? How does a person gain the faith to pray this prayer in confidence? A prayer for pardon requires faith, because a person is asking for cleansing and forgiveness. When a person prays a prayer for pardon they are asking and wanting to restore and repair that relationship which was damaged. This faith is based on God’s mercy, or mercy from another individual. A person gains the faith to pray this prayer in confidence, because they believe and trust in a merciful, loving, and Righteous God and Judge.

Q4. In what way does Abraham show persistence? Abraham shows persistence when He repeatedly lowers the number, so that, God would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Why is persistence necessary in prayer? Persistence in prayer is necessary when we believe by faith that God will punish the sinner and the sin, and we should pray with assurance that God will answer our prayers. Have you ever experienced "praying through"? What was it like? Yes, I have seen

Q3. Do you think Abraham's boldness pleased God? Why or why not? No, I do not think that God was angry or not pleased with Abraham

Q2. How did Abraham demonstrate his humility before God? Abraham demonstrated his humility before God when he acknowledged his own humble place before God. "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the LORD, though I am nothing but dust and ashes...." (18:27) "May the LORD not be angry, but let me speak...." (18:30) "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the LORD...." (18:31) "May the LORD not be angry, but let me speak just once more...." (18:32) Why must boldness be tempered with humility? Boldness must be tempered with humility when we approached the Lord, because it reminds us of the Greatness of God, and the intimacy that we enjoy with Him, the King of Heaven. This is also praying with two factors in mind: (1) the joy of having God as our Father and (2) maintaining the realization of God's awesomeness ("who art in heaven") and holiness ("hallowed by thy name").

Q1. What is the basis of Abraham's argument that God should spare Sodom? The basis of Abraham