"I jump into a sand pit for a living"
Acknowledging sin
We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. Daniel 9:5Daniel might have begun by explaining that he’s a victim of circumstances, that God has no idea how difficult it is to live on earth, that there are a lot worse people than him. No. Daniel begins quite simply by acknowledging his guilt and that of the people. He has no excuses, no mitigating circumstances.
He admits to having sinned, to having done wrong, to having been wicked, to having rebelled, to have turned away from God, not to have listened to God’s word, to be covered in shame, to have been unfaithful, not to have obeyed God’s word, to have transgressed. No ifs, no buts. The good news comes in verse nine. “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving”. Sometimes we self-righteously say that things are unjust. Daniel is not looking for justice. He wants mercy!
When we acknowledge our sin before God, we know that our punishment is just. We need mercy and forgiveness.
Step one is to believe in God and know who he is, step two is to know who we are and to acknowledge our sin and seek his forgiveness.