Mercies and Forgivenesses with God - Daniel 9:9

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, righteousness belongs unto you, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you. O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you”, and in chapter nine and verse nine of his book Daniel said,“to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses” where we read,

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

The verse reads, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, …” Daniel began with the words, “to the Lord our God” or “to Yahweh, which is a display of reverence, our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “belong mercies” which means “has a place and is situated compassion and pity” “and forgiveness” or “and pardon”. Daniel shared how Jehovah God, the Supreme Deity, possesses compassion, pity and pardon. 

The verse goes on to say, “… though we have rebelled against him;” Daniel continued with the words, “though we have rebelled” or “even when we, Daniel and the people of Israel, have revolted and been disobedient” “against him” which means “in opposition to him, Jehovah God”. Daniel said God is “merciful and forgiving” even when he and the people of Israel revolted and were disobedient to Jehovah God. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Jehovah or Yahweh God possesses compassion, pity and pardon even when “we” have been disobedient to Him. God knows we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23) and those sins lead to death and separation from God. For this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we receive His “mercies” to never rebel against Him. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Daniel says, “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

O Lord, To Us Belongs Confusion - Daniel 9:8

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments. Neither have we hearkened unto your servants the prophets, which spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs unto you, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you”, and in chapter nine and verse eight of his book Daniel said,“O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face” where we read,

O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, 

because we have sinned against you.

The verse reads, “O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, …” Daniel began with the words, “O Lord” or “O Yahweh, which is a display of reverence”, “to us” which means “toward us, Daniel and the people of Israel”, “belongs confusion of face” or “has a place and is situated great shame pertaining to our presence and front”, “to our kings” which means “toward our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, royal rulers and leaders”, “to our princes” or “toward our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, leaders, chiefs, chieftains, vassals, nobles and officials”, “and to our fathers” which means “and toward our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors”. Daniel told Jehovah God that there exists great shame within their royal rulers, leaders, nobles and forefathers.

The verse continues, “… because we have sinned against you.” Daniel added the words, “because we have sinned” or “since and on account that we, Daniel and the people of Israel, have missed the mark, erred and committed wrong” “against you” which means “in opposition to you, Jehovah God”. Daniel repeated the idea that he and the people of Israel committed wrong and missed the mark in opposition to Jehovah God.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Daniel continued to describe the great shame that was within him, the people of Israel, their royal rulers, leaders and forefathers on account that they erred by being in opposition to Jehovah God. Humility and admission of sin is necessary for a person to receive salvation and redemption from Jehovah God. When we humble ourselves before Him, feel our shame and turn from our sins, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God wants us to humble ourselves, yield to Him and repent of our sins, and when we yield to Him, He will save us for all eternity. 

Next time Daniel says, “to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

O Lord, Righteousness Belongs to You - Daniel 9:7

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments. Neither have we hearkened unto your servants the prophets, which spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.”, and in chapter nine and verse seven of his book Daniel said,“O Lord, righteousness belongs to you” where we read,

O Lord, righteousness belongs unto you, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.

The verse reads, “O Lord, righteousness belongs unto you, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day;” Daniel began with the words, “O Lord” or “O Yahweh which is a display of reverence”, “righteousness” which means “justice, truthfulness, salvation and prosperity” “belongs unto you” or “has a place and is situated with you, Jehovah God”, “but unto us” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover toward us, Daniel and the people of Israel” “confusion of faces” or “great shame pertaining to our presence and front”, “as at this day” which means “even so and indeed like it remains upon this sunset to sunrise”. Daniel told Jehovah God that justice and truthfulness is situated with Him, however, great shame within the countenance was upon him and the people of Israel even to the current day. 

The verse goes on to say, “… to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, …” Daniel continued with the words, “and to the men” or “and toward the male human beings” “of Judah” which means “belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”, “and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem” or “and toward the dwellers, abiders and people living within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and unto all Israel” which means “and toward each, every and the whole of Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “that are near” or “who are close to Jerusalem”, “and that are far off” which means “and to the people who are remote, distant and abroad”. Daniel shared how “confusion of face” was also among the male human beings belonging to “Judah”, the abiders within “Jerusalem” and within the people who lived close to “Jerusalem” and those who lived abroad. 

Finally the verse says, “… through all the countries whither you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you.” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “through all the countries” or “within each, every, the whole and everyone of the territories, districts and regions” “whither you have driven them” which means “where you, Jehovah God, thrust and banished them, the people of Jerusalem and Judah”, “because of their trespass” or “since and on account of the people of Judah and Jerusalem’s unfaithful, treacherous and false acts” “that they have trespassed” which means “that they, the people of Judah and Jerusalem, have been unfaithful, treacherous and false” “against you” or “in opposition to you, Jehovah God”. Daniel ended this verse by referring to all the places Jehovah God banished the people of Israel on account of their unfaithfulness to to God’s stedfast ways.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he acknowledged the justice, truthfulness and salvation of Jehovah God, however, he and the people of Israel possessed a presence of great shame. This included the people from “Judah, Jerusalem and all Israel” who lived close to Jerusalem and those who lived abroad as well as those who God banished because of their sinful behavior in opposition to Him. Even so, everyone throughout the world is invited to receive God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to His commands by obeying His ways. (See John 16:13)

Next time Daniel says, “O Lord, to us belongs confusion of face”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Not Obeying the Prophets - Daniel 9:6

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments”, and in chapter nine and verse six of his book Daniel said,“neither have we hearkened to your servants the prophets” where we read,

Neither have we hearkened unto your servants the prophets, which spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

The verse reads, “Neither have we hearkened unto your servants the prophets, which spoke in your name to our kings,  …” Daniel began with the words, “neither have we hearkened” or “no and not in any way have we, Daniel and the people of Israel, listened, perceived and obeyed” “unto your servants the prophets” which means “toward your, Jehovah God’s, ministers who were inspired spokesmen and speakers”, “which spoke in your name” or “who uttered, declared and proclaimed within your, Jehovah God’s, reputation, fame and glory” “to our kings” which means “toward our, royal rulers and leaders”. Daniel shared how he and the people of Israel did not listen to Jehovah God’s inspired spokesmen who made declarations to their royal rulers and leaders.

The verse continues, “… our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” Daniel added the words, “our princes” or “our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s leaders, chiefs, chieftains, vassals, nobles and officials”, “and our fathers” which means “and our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors”, “and to all the people” or “and toward each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings” “of the land” which means “belonging to the country, territory, district, region and world”. Daniel said he and the people of Israel also did not “hearken” to the “prophets” who also spoke to their officials, male ancestors and everyone of the human beings belonging to the region of Israel. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discovered how Daniel continued to describe the way he and the people of Israel had sinned against Jehovah God. They did not listen to or obey God’s ministers who were inspired spokesmen to their royal rulers, their nobles, forefathers and toward everyone of the people within their region and world. God wants us to listen to Him, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will teach us how to listen to Him and those He Divinely appoints to be in authority over us.

Next time Daniel says, “O Lord, righteousness belongs to you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

We have Sinned and Committed Iniquity - Daniel 9:5

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments”, and in chapter nine and verse five of his book Daniel said,“we have sinned, and have committed iniquity” where we read,

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, 

and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments:

The verse reads, “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly,  …” Daniel began with the words, “we have sinned” or “we, Daniel and the people of Israel, have missed the mark, gone wrong, incurred guilt and erred”, “and have committed iniquity” which means “and have bent, distorted and twisted that which is crooked, perverted and wicked”, “and have done wickedly” or “and have performed wicked, troublesome and vexing acts”. Daniel shared how he made a confession to Jehovah God concerning his and the people of Israel’s missing the mark, distorting the perverted and performing wicked acts. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and have rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and from your judgments.” Daniel continued with the words, “and have rebelled” or “and have revolted and been audacious in acts of disobedience”, “even by departing” which means “indeed through turning aside, reposing, rejecting and avoiding” “from your precepts” or “separate and apart from your, Jehovah God’s, commandments, laws and ordinances” “and from your judgments” which means “and separate and apart from your, Jehovah God’s, just, right and lawful discretion”. Daniel shared how he and the people of Israel revolted and were audacious in their acts of disobedience through the means of turning aside from God’s commandments and lawful discretions. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Daniel continued to confess his sins and the sins of the nation of Israel. They missed God’s mark, twisted wickedness and performed vexing acts. They revolted against God and were audacious in their disobedience to God’s commandments and lawful ways. They were in need of God’s mercy and grace even as are all people who will be honest about their sinful condition. The Bible says, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (See Romans 6:23) “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (See John 3:16) When we acknowledge we are sinners, repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit so we may be convicted to turn to Him as a person and nation.

Next time Daniel says, “neither have we hearkened to your servants the prophets”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Daniel Prays to the LORD - Daniel 9:4

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes”, and in chapter nine and verse four of his book Daniel said,“I prayed to the LORD” where we read,

And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, 

O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, 

and to them that keep his commandments;

The verse reads, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I prayed” or “and I, Daniel, intervened, meditated, interposed and interceded” “unto the LORD” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “my God” or “my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”, “and made my confession” which means “and produced and performed my, Daniel’s, revering and worshiping with extended hands”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Daniel shared how he interceded to Jehovah his Supreme Deity and worshiped and proclaimed the following words.

The verse continues, “… O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, ” Daniel added the words, “O Lord” or “O Jehovah or Yahweh”, “the great and dreadful God” which means “the important, distinguished and revered Supreme Deity”, “keeping the covenant and mercy” or “giving heed to, watching and observing the alliance, pledge, treaty and goodness, kindness and faithfulness” “to them that love him” which means “to the people who have affection and desire for him, Jehovah God”. Daniel shared how he prayed to Jehovah God who is the distinguished and revered Supreme Deity who observes the pledge of kindness and faithfulness toward people who desire Him.

Finally the verse says, “and to them that keep his commandments;” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “and to them” or “and toward the people” “that keep his commandments” which means “who observe and give heed to his, Jehovah God’s, ordinances, precepts and laws”. Daniel ended this verse by including people who observe and give heed to Jehovah God’s laws and precepts.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he made intercession to Jehovah God, worshiped Him and acknowledged that God is distinguished, revered and keeps His pledge to people who desire Him and obey His laws. God wants us to be like this, and He will help up by His Holy Spirit when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life as we surrender to Him, and He invites everyone to be among those who worship, revere and call out to Him in prayer. 

Next time Daniel says, “we have sinned, and have committed iniquity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Setting My Face to the LORD - Daniel 9:3

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse three of his book Daniel said,“I set my face to the LORD” where we read,

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, 

with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

The verse reads, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I set my face” or “and I, Daniel, yielded, delivered up and fixed my, Daniel’s, presence and countenance” “unto the Lord God” which means “to Jehovah who is the Supreme Deity”, “to seek by prayer” or “to require, desire, exact and request through the means of intercession and by implication a hymn” “and supplications” which means “and earnest entreaty for favor”. Daniel said he fixed his countenance upon Jehovah God the Supreme Deity to desired and request favor from Him through the means of intercession. 

The verse goes on to say, “… with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel continued with the words, “with fasting” or “by the means of abstaining from some food or drink pertaining to a religious observance”, “and sackcloth” which means “and mesh or coarse loose cloth used in mourning or humiliation”, “and ashes” or “and powdery residue left after burning a substance”. Daniel shared how he also “fasted”, dressed himself in course cloth as a sign of humility and put on “ashes” or the powdery substance left after burning something. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he humbled himself before God and demonstrated his inward humility by refraining from eating and drinking, wearing course clothing and putting “ashes” upon himself. He desired and requested  God’s favor to be upon him. God wants to bless us, and when we humble ourselves, He will lift us up. (See James 4:10) God sent His Son Jesus into world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we humble ourselves and  believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we may obtain His favor in this life and the life to come. 

Next time Daniel says, “I prayed to the LORD my God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".