For His Glory

Daily Old Testament Reading: Daniel 9

Daily Focus Passage: Daniel 7-9

Daniel cried out to the Lord for forgiveness and the strength to obey the ways and will of the Lord. Daniel's seeking of forgiveness and strength rested on the goodness and glory of the Lord. Daniel appealed to the Lord for forgiveness so that the world may know his greatness and for obedience so that the world would see the evidence of God in the life of Daniel. These truths, found in Daniel 9, should set a course for our seeking forgiveness and strength to obey the Lord.

THE SINFUL CONDITION

Daniel spoke of the sinful condition of the people. Daniel defined the people's disobedience in the following terms: sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from the Lord's commands. The people missed the mark that God set before them, so they were guilty of sin. They participated in wrong activities because they went against the righteousness of the Lord. They acted wickedly because they lived out of the flesh instead of by the ways of the Lord. The people rebelled against the Lord and refused to submit to his Lordship. They knew the commands of the Lord and chose to reject them. Thus, the people are plagued by sinful conditions. The same is true today. We battle against the influence of the flesh and live as people plagued by sin.

THE SEEKING OF FORGIVENESS

Daniel announced the people's waywardness and cried out to the Lord for forgiveness. Daniel sought forgiveness not for the sake of the people but for the glory of the Lord so that he would be known. The ability to gain forgiveness consists of several vital components.

First, we must own our sins. When we own our sin, we come to the place of taking responsibility for our sin, rebellion, and wickedness. We claim responsibility for our actions and no longer attempt to lessen them. When we take ownership of sin, we take the first step of seeking genuine forgiveness from the Lord. Without owning sin, there can be no genuine seeking of forgiveness.

Second, taking ownership of sin must drive us to confession of sin. Confession demonstrates the ownership of one's sin. When confession occurs, we no longer attempt to lessen sin or shift the blame to others, but we come before the Lord and tell him how we have gone astray. Confession is the outward expression of ownership of sin and is the step toward asking for forgiveness.

Third, we must approach the Lord and seek forgiveness. Taking ownership of our sins and confessing our sins sets the stage for asking for forgiveness. When we seek forgiveness from the Lord, we request the cleansing that only God can perform. We ask the one true God to forgive us and allow us to reconcile with him. Forgiveness includes asking for cleansing, seeking reconciliation, and repentance. Seek forgiveness from the Lord.

Fourth, genuine forgiveness carries the desire and pursuit of living in obedience before the Lord. When we live in obedience, we no longer live in rebellion against the Lord and choose to disobey his commands, but rather, we ask the Lord for the ability to live in faithfulness. We seek to live like Christ and to follow the truth found in the Word of God. We strive to be reflections of God's greatness. We ask for strength because such a life is impossible in the flesh.

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Daniel understood that forgiveness opened the pathway for God to receive all the glory. The Lord receives all glory and praise in forgiveness because eternal, genuine forgiveness comes from God alone. Thus, the forgiven individual becomes overwhelmed by rejoicing and declares the greatness of God to all who will listen.

The Lord receives all glory in forgiveness because the nations witness his great work. When forgiven people live for Christ, the world seeks to understand why they live the way they do. Ultimately, the changed life is not for the glory of the individual, but instead, the changed life is for the glory of the Lord.

Daniel 9 teaches us the heart of one who takes ownership of their sin and seeks forgiveness from the Lord. The passage challenges us to recognize that the work of redemption and forgiveness is about the Lord and not about us. We must see God's glory in forgiveness and strive to make his glory known.