What can we learn about God's character from "the LORD has kept ready"? Setting the Context Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9 pours out grief over Judah’s sin and exile. In verse 14 he acknowledges, “Therefore the LORD has kept the calamity in store and brought it upon us. For the LORD our God is righteous in everything He has done, yet we have not obeyed His voice.” The phrase “the LORD has kept ready” (or “kept the calamity in store”) becomes a window into God’s heart. What “the LORD has kept ready” Tells Us About God • Planner, not reactionary – Calamity was “kept” long before it fell. God operates by purposeful foreknowledge (Isaiah 46:10). • Patiently restraining judgment – He held discipline back until every warning had been ignored (2 Peter 3:9). • Righteous and consistent – Daniel links the stored judgment to God’s righteousness: “righteous in everything He has done.” • Faithful to His word – Exile had been promised if Israel broke covenant (Leviticus 26; Joshua 23:15). God did exactly what He said, no more, no less. • Sovereign over timing – He alone decides when the stored consequence is released (Ecclesiastes 3:17). • Merciful even in discipline – Kept judgment shows He gave space to repent (Jeremiah 18:7-8), and afterward would also “keep ready” restoration (Jeremiah 29:10-11). Related Passages That Echo the Same Trait • Nahum 1:2-3 – “The LORD is avenging… yet the LORD is slow to anger… He reserves His wrath for His enemies.” • Amos 3:7 – “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” • 2 Kings 21:12 – “I am bringing such calamity… that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle.” (announced decades before it fell) • 2 Peter 3:9-10 – Patience now, certain judgment later; the same pattern beyond Daniel’s day. • Revelation 6:9-11 – Even final justice is “kept” until the full number is complete. Living in Light of This Truth • Take sin seriously; consequences may be stored up even when life seems quiet. • Trust His timing; vengeance or vindication is never forgotten by Him. • Let patience lead to repentance rather than presumption (Romans 2:4-5). • Rest in His reliability; if He keeps ready judgment, He also keeps ready mercy for those who turn to Him (Micah 7:18-19). |
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