Apostolic Perspectives #8 - The Power of Prophetic Timing

I Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (Dan. 9:2)

Daniel was moved to action based on knowledge that the time had come for God's prophetic word to be fulfilled.

It was time to respond to the prophetic word which was spoken by Jeremiah.

Daniel was armed with the knowledge of what God wanted to achieve. It was this knowledge that prompted him to fast and pray for twenty-one days; A period which was not pre-planned. It took twenty-one days for the breakthrough to come.

The principle here must not be overlooked. Daniel was prepared to fast even longer if necessary. A, so called, Daniel fast is not a twenty-one day fast. It is a fast until breakthrough comes!

It is also important to note that this type of action on Daniel's part would have been absolutely ineffective ten years earlier; five years earlier or even two years earlier.

He would not have had the assurance that his actions were backed by accurate insight into God’s will.

We can make at least three insightful observations from the above passage of Scripture:

1. Daniel was given to research. By his own admission, he informs us that "the books" were instrumental in helping him to gain understanding of God's prophetic word. Time and space does not allow me to elaborate on how important it is for us to research the word of God.

2. Jeremiah's prophecy was time-sensitive. The seventy year period was not to be taken lightly. Those of us who are familiar with the story know that false prophets tried to manipulate this period of time. Some tried to deny it. Others wanted to shorten it. Jeremiah was thrown in a pit for insisting on it!

3. After seventy years, the "desolation" period was over! It is worth noting how this period of time was defined. It was a time of desolation. If you can receive it, God is saying that your future is not defined by your past. It's time for you to step out of desolation and into your destiny! This word is both personal and corporate. Insist on stepping into your personal destiny and insist that your church community; your kingdom-community fulfils its destiny as well.

Kingdom Blessings!