“So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, ‘Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land.'” Daniel 9:3-10
When was the last time you were truly sorry for your sin? I mean REALLY sorry – so sorry that perhaps you cried. Or made a true confession to the Lord?
In this passage of Scripture, Daniel gave us the keys to true repentance – giving attention to the Lord, seeking God, praying, begging humbly, fasting, acknowledging God’s greatness, and confessing. He even used sackcloth and ashes!
Sackcloth and ashes were an outward sign of repentance and humility before God. Sackcloth was made of scratchy, coarse goat’s hair that was uncomfortable to the touch. The ashes not only covered the head, but also people sat in them. What a position of humility before the Lord, setting aside all comfort and being totally focused on Him!
Daniel gave a full list of sins – iniquity, wickedness, rebellion, disobeying commandments, and refusing to listen to the prophets. Am I willing to name my sins? I challenge you to give it some thought today and ask God to reveal your sins.
Prayer: Oh Lord, can you show me what it means to truly repent? Help me to remember the example Daniel gave us to seek You, pray, beg with humility, fast, acknowledge Your greatness, and confess. Lead me to a place of total surrender and acknowledgment of my sin. I pray for obedience from all believers to repent so that You may usher in a spiritual awakening in our land. I love you Lord and thank You for Your grace and mercy extended to me every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
