CONSEQUENCES

 

7 Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.

 

Daniel is now in the second part of his prayer.  He, first of all declared an attribute of God.  God is righteous.  This means that God's character or nature always leads Him to do that which is right.  The Hebrew word means straight.  It means that God’s sets the standard.  God showed the Jews what the standard was.  They had the commandments and the law.  Their refusal to do so had two consequences.  First, they were covered with shame.  Shame is an unpleasant self-conscious emotion associated with a negative evaluation of the self; withdrawal motivations; and feelings of distress, exposure, mistrust, powerlessness, and worthlessness.  They knew what to do and they chose not.  Their shame was internal and external.  Our message today is consequence.  It means there will always be a consequence to what we do or do not do.  In this case the Jews were covered with shame and they were scattered among the nations all because of their unfaithfulness.  They were the people of God and they went after the gods and idols of the world.   The direct result of their unfaithfulness was deportation and the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah.  Sin always has a high price.  It is a game you do not want to play.  Often it is fatal.  Daniel was praying but this also is recorded as a warning to others.  Prayer often clarifies what we are going through, why it happened and the results.  Prayer and the word are the lenses that God uses to help us see things clearly.

 

8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.

 

Daniel makes it clear in this verse that the responsibility for what has happened is clearly on the leadership of the land.  The kings, princes and ancestors are covered with shame.  The prophets and priests spoke to them for 400 years.  They were well aware what was required but chose not to heed the warnings.   The bible states that when we sin against God we also injure others.  What we do affect others.  These leaders knew what was right and did not do it and the whole nation suffered.  This is absolute selfishness.  We have this going on right now in our country.  It is like the person who knows that cigarettes are dangerous but does them anyway and then gets lung cancer and affects others by second hand smoke.  A side note parents this is also a lesson to learn in the family.  What we do or do not do affects our kids.  Daniel again identifies with his audience.  We have sinned against you.  The direct consequence is they had sinned against God.  David acknowledged his sin in Psalm 51.  You will never be forgiven until you admit your sin.  Daniel is deeply affected by what he is praying and often we are as well.  True intercession always feels the pain of others. 

 

9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;

 

Daniel here reveals four things about God.  He is Lord.  That means He is in charge.  He has authority, might, dominion and power.  He is the supreme authority in the universe.  He is God.  He is the all powerful, all knowing, pure, holy, eternal and ever present God.  He is the creator and sustainer of all things.  Daniel is just telling God He knows who He is.  Thirdly, God is merciful.  He has been merciful for 400 years and then He gave a promise that after 70 years of desolation.  He was going to restore them.  This is amazing.  Even in wrath God remembers mercy.  This is such a powerful lesson and we see it over and over in the Bible.  Remember 2 Chron 7:14, if we do our part God, does His.  He is forgiving.  God is wanting and willing to forgive us.  He is the God of the second chance.  His nature and character is love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.    Daniel is amazed at the character, essence and nature of God.  The people had rebelled against Him.  Yet God cannot be anything but He is.  This gives even the vilest sinner a hope.  Like the old hymn. The vilest offender who truly believes that moment from Jesus a pardon receive.  Rebellion does not have to be our testimony.  We can be forgiven.  That is why I love the story of Matthew or Levi.

 

We have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.

 

Now Daniel strikes a very important lesson here.  We often like to blame others for what has happened to us.  This is a victim mentality which is prevalent in our age.  Today it seems everyone is playing the victim.  You will never be a victor if you keep playing the victim.   Canada is still paying for things done generations ago.  People refuse to take responsibility for what they have done.  Things are not fair.  People, governments and society do things wrong.  Complaining and playing the victim does not change it.  Taking our own responsibility does.  Daniel says we have not obeyed.  Daniel was identifying with the people.  Each person made their own decision.  We have consequences to what we think, say and do.  The sooner you take ownership of the thing the quicker the solution.  The people had not obeyed or kept the laws given to them by the servants and prophets of God.  Moses had made it clear what the law was and its benefits and consequences.   Daniel makes it clear why they were where they were.  Prayer gives such clarity.  That is why I love and hate it so much.  I cannot lie to God or myself when I truly pray.

 

11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

 

Daniel closes off our time together by revealing three things all Israel had done.  All tribes and all the people, from the King right down to the youngest child.  They had transgressed.  They did an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense.  They went against God’s law.  Next, they turned away.  They went a different way.  It is like choosing to do another route in a journey knowing it is wrong.  It is like a spouse who deliberately turns away their wedding vows to another.  It is being knowingly unfaithful.  There are consequences to that.  Lastly, they refuse to obey God.  It was a choice and decision.  It is like a child who refuses to obey their parents.  It is not a childish option or distraction it is willful defiance.  It is like what are you going to do about this.  Believe me a good parent is going to deal with it immediately.  You do not you foster a pattern of lifelong rebellion.  Talk about senior who poured a cold drink on a rebellious child’s head. 

 

Today we have a powerful portion of prayer which illustrates the reality and consequences of sin, rebellion and disobedience.  Daniel was praying because he knew that they were about to be given a second chance.  He did not want them to make the same mistake over.  Let us pray as we hurdled toward chaos, destruction and nationwide consequences for God’s mercy, love, grace and forgiveness.  It is in ours hands.  We saw what could happen this week.  Let us pray while there is yet time.