Today’s reading: Daniel 7:1-9:27
My selection:
“While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.”
Daniel 9:20-23 (ESV)
Confession of sin is not morbid introspection
On numerous occasions in the Bible we read of people whose close encounter with God brought them to recognize their unworthiness and sin. God’s presence shines on the hearts of men and exposing their depravity. Daniel experienced this, too, and was driven to a thorough confession of his sin and the sin of his people.
Confession of sin should not be morbid introspection driving us to hopelessness. The Apostle John exhorts us:
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 (ESV)
Confession is a lifestyle
Confession leads to forgiveness and cleansing. It is not a once-for-all event but a lifestyle which brings growth in both holiness and praise. Be diligent in confession.
[For more reflections on today’s reading, see the corresponding reading in my book Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days].
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