Before Daniel was born, there was no book of Daniel. Before there was Daniel the prophet, there was Daniel the man.
Now in 2024 we can read the record of what Daniel the prophet had done. Yet at the time there was no record, the story had yet to be written. And Daniel had to have faith and then act on it to create that story.
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - 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
Daniel recalls the word of the Lord that was available to him at the time, which was the writings of Jeremiah the prophet. And Daniel has faith enough to read himself into the story of the Bible. He calculates the times of the prophecy and then acts on it.
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3
Daniel understands the trajectory of the story he is within. He understands he is an active player in it. And he plays his part.
Fast forward to 2024.
Daniel read the words of Jeremiah the prophet and acted. You are reading the words of Daniel the prophet.
Do you understand the trajectory of the story you are in? Do you know what part the Lord wants you to play? Will you act on it?