Forgiveness {Daniel 9:1-19}
12:00 AM
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Last
week we looked at being content in the Lord – nothing other than our relationship
with God will satisfy us.
Contentment
is difficult for many of us and following contentment with forgiveness just
seems so appropriate. You see, God did a
number of things when He led me to Daniel 9.
First, He opened my eyes to see my own lack of praying for the
forgiveness FOR others (not of others).
We sometimes get wrapped up in wondering how we can help other people,
especially when they are stuck in sin.
Two
weeks ago I shared some prayers for when our loved
ones are stuck in sin, and I had asked a few friends to pray with me. Something amazing happened – God answered one of my prayers!
Daniel’s
prayer is another fantastic prayer for when we (and others) are stuck in
sin. But for me, this prayer made me
realize how I was not content in the Lord.
Not only was God using this prayer and these
to open the eyes of some of my own loved ones, but on me. Sometimes the truth hurts. We would rather hear words that soothe, even
if they are false. And when God performs
surgery on your own heart, you get to experience just how merciful and
forgiving He is, despite our rebellion (v. 9).
Affliction
is meant for us to turn to God. When we
face difficult circumstances, we should ask ourselves if God has reason to send
judgment. If we think so, we must
urgently seek His forgiveness. Then we
can ask Him to help us through our troubles.
“The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the
LORD our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him.” (v.14)
Daniel
spoke about how God continually tried to bring Israel back to Himself. Yet even after disaster struck them, they
refused to obey Him. God still uses
circumstances, other people, and most importantly, HIS WORD, to bring people
back to Him. What would it take for God
to get your attention? If you are
unwilling to accept God’s message, maybe you are trying to avoid making a
painful change.
Are
you serious? Is your heart really ready
for a transformation? Because if you
truly are, these prayers will cut to the core and remove the stony parts of
your own heart.
God
pointed out just how lukewarm I was.
And how I lacked a real desire to be transformed. He showed me truly how weightless my words
are and just how powerful His words are!
God
sends help, not because we deserve it, but because He wants to show great
mercy. God could refuse to help us
because of our sin and how could we complain?
But when He sends mercy when we deserve punishment, how can we withhold
our praise and thanksgiving?
17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For
your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the
desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of
you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my
God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
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