Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Daniel 9:18 Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies.
Observation: Daniel understands humanity’s position in relation to God.
Application: What do we really deserve? The other day we were chatting about Jesus’ comments about ‘dishonest wealth’ in Luke chapter 16. It seems to me that, in that particular passage, Jesus may well be talking about all earthly possessions period. What I mean by that is that we have a tendency to believe that certain things are deserved. For example, we might think that since we agreed to work x amount of hours for x amount of dollars, that we therefore deserve to get paid for that time.
On at least one level we are correct about that assumption; even the Scriptures affirm that the worker deserves his or her wages. But on another level, so much of it has to do with happening to be at the right place at the right time and happening to have the particular skill set that is needed and/or desired. Furthermore, who gave us such ‘abilities’ anyhow? Don’t they ultimately come from our maker?
It seems Daniel had the right idea—make the case for sparing humanity not because of what we’ve done (since in many cases what we’ve done has been awful and even when it’s good it is often with conflicting motives) but in light of God’s promises and God’s merciful nature.
At least then we’ll have a chance.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for your merciful nature. It is not only the only reason that we have any hope at all, but it is also the reason we can hope with such confidence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Daniel 9-10, Psalm 123, and Luke 5)
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