When the Finish Line is In Sight… Don’t Stop!

Daniel’s Dilemma

Text: Daniel 9

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—2 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, seventy years” (Daniel 9:1–2, ESV).

Chapter 9 is divided into two parts:

1. Daniel’s Prayer (1-19)

2. God’s Response, through Gabriel (20-27)

Daniel sees the end approaching, and he chooses to encourage himself in the Word. His message is an encouragement for those living in a compromised culture: When you see the end in sight… DON’T STOP!

What Does Daniel Tell Us?

#1: When the Finish Line is In Sight… Keep Praying

Daniel 9:3–4 (ESV):

“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.’”

Look at Daniel’s posture of prayer:

• Humiliation

• Adoration

• Identification

• Contrition

• Petition

Daniel intercedes, standing in the gap for his people. He prays for the nation’s sins as if they were his own, demonstrating the power of intercession.

#2: When the Finish Line is In Sight… Keep Your Pace

Remember… Form Matters!

Daniel 9:24 (ESV):

“Seventy weeks (seventy sevens) are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.”

The primary reason Israel was in exile was their failure to trust God’s pacing—Sabbath rest.

Deeper Study: The 70-year exile, decreed in Jeremiah 25:8–14, is tied to Israel’s violation of the Sabbath Year command in Leviticus 26:33-35.

God established a pace for His people that taught them to trust Him and rest:

• Sabbath Day

• Sabbath Year

Two Rhythms to Embrace:

1. Silence and Solitude

2. Sabbath and Simplification

Could it be that the “wearing out of the saints” is the result of believers forgetting to pace themselves?

#3: When the Finish Line is In Sight… Keep Persevering

Daniel 9:24–27 (NLT):

“Seven sets of seven (49 years) plus sixty-two sets of seven (434 years) will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes.”

Daniel’s Prophecy:

• Daniel saw the next 483 years of human history and the last seven years. However, what he didn’t see was a mystery revealed in the New Testament (Romans 16:25-27).

Why would God pause?

2 Peter 3:8–9 (ESV):

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Beware of False Finish Lines

A false finish line is a point that appears to be the end, but in reality, is not the final goal. Spiritually, don’t settle for temporary victories. Instead of saying, “I can’t wait for the end of this season,” start saying, “I can’t wait to see what God does next!”

God’s Plan is Bigger than What You See Now!

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (ESV):

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

Persevere until the very end!