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".