“Who are you?” That was the question I faced from an Israeli man who had obviously had a little too much to drink. He asked a second time with a bit more fervour, “Who are you?” As I attempted to ignore him with hopes he’d go away he was joined by two friends.

So that you may appreciate the situation, I and some fellow students of the Jerusalem University College were sitting at a table at an outdoor food court enjoying some pizza in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem. As to why this individual (who we later learned had just been discharged from the military) stopped to pick on us remains a mystery.

A third time he asked, with much more volume in his voice, “Who are you?” It was obvious the question was directed at me. Did he want my name? What nationality I was? How should I answer? After what seemed like an eternity I whispered, “I’m Canadian.” With that answer the ferociousness and intenseness of his eyes waned to that of a slightly glowing ember and a kind of jovial disposition replaced his cranky attitude. I knew his demeanour had changed when he slapped me on the back and said, “Ah, my Canadian friend.” I breathed a sigh of relief, I had answered well.

Identification is important for each of us. We have passports, birth certificates, photo identification to help prove we are who we say we are. We are also identified by other means. Our jobs identify us. What we do can say a lot about our character and make up. We can also be identified to some degree by what type of people we spend our time with.

Daniel was a prophet, a righteous man of God. He is probably most famous for his survival of the lion’s den. Yet a portion of Scripture which identifies him as a righteous man of God is Daniel 9:1-19.

I. It’s all about identifying

As you look at these verses you’ll find that Daniel cares for his people. This may strike some people as odd or strange behaviour on Daniel’s part. Their argument would be that his is a righteous prophet of God and he should not be associated with the scum of his people. He should be disassociating himself from them. Yet, it’s because of his unwillingness to disassociate himself that makes him righteous. He prays for them, thus exhibiting concern and compassion. It also demonstrates the commandment of loving your neighbour as yourself.

Daniel was preceded in this thought of identifying, of remembering who you are connected to by some other stellar characters. Forty times in Ezra 9:5-15, Ezra identified with his people. He was not an elitist. He did not think himself too good for them. Thus he led them in prayer. In Jeremiah 14:19-22, Jeremiah associates himself eleven times in his prayer for his people. He cared so much for them that he was willing to do what he had been forbidden to do in verse 11. He saw and felt their need for redemption. This is why he prayed.

If these men had failed to pray and care for their brethren, they and their people would have been lost. If we fail to pray and care for our brethren because we feel that they are hopeless and we are too good for them then they are already lost and so are we.

II. Admitting sin

As you examine verse 4, note that Daniel makes confession to God through prayer. Thus he demonstrates once again prayer’s importance and the importance of confessing to God. Daniel’s actions of fasting, sackcloth, and ashes were and are very compelling visual actions that signified his earnest desires of his heart.

As we review this passage of Scripture we find that Daniel starts his prayer by focusing upon God and His faithfulness. He knew and his prayer reflects the fact that it is all about God. No mistake is made when he prays. There is the realization that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God keeps His covenant. He is completely trustworthy.

Daniel was praying for his people and his nation for repentance and for forgiveness. That there is shame of face on Israel is evidenced in verses 7 and 8. Remember Israel has been in captivity for almost a century and before that they had put their trust in money, other religions or religious acts, and a myriad of other things which distracted them from God. As with Dagon, the false god of the Philistines, and with Baal, these false gods let the people of Israel down too.

God is trustworthy. His Word is reliable and the consequences of not obeying are disastrous. This is evidenced in verse 12. It speaks of a great disaster. This disaster is the fall and exile of Jerusalem. It must have been heart wrenching to know that had the people simply followed God none of this would have happened. However, these events had transpired. Where do they go from here?

III. Ask for Mercy

In verses 16-19 Daniel asks God for mercy and restoration. When he asks notice how he asks. He starts, “According to all your righteousness.” Daniel knew to whom all credit and glory should be given. Also, remember that Daniel was uniquely qualified to ask for this pardon for he is the Lord’s servant. Nobody else came forward. Daniel could pray on their behalf and be heard because he followed God. Daniel petitioned God and cried out, “and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on your sanctuary.” He desired God to be glorified. This prayer of intercession while on behalf of the people of Israel, and realizing Israel still had a decision to make, was all about glorifying God. Daniel prayed because he wanted His people to know and glorify God.

Jesus identified with mankind by coming in the form of man. He suffered and died. He came to seek and to save the lost. He prayed for His children. He took our sin on himself and has become the bridge that spans the gap that sin created between man and God. Mercy and restoration has been extended. We must now claim it, live it and share the Good News of God’s grace to others, so they may experience it.