Seek Mercy

I have found so many hidden gems of wisdom and understanding within the words of Scripture.

I found one such gem this morning while reading through the visions recorded in the book of Daniel, chapters 7-9.

“Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord by turning from our sins 

and recognizing His truth.” Daniel 9:13b

I found this amidst a heartfelt, sincere prayer by Daniel about God’s people, Israel.  What I see in these few words is the substance that makes up mercy.  People cry out for God’s mercy during difficult times, but do we really understand what we are asking for.  According to this particular prayer, we refuse to seek God’s mercy when we:

1) Do not turn away from our sins

2) Refusing to recognize God’s truth.

This reminds me of what I read in Romans 1:19-23

“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.  For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities, His eternal power And divine nature.  Yet they refused to acknowledge Him as God, or even give Him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fool.”

If we are crying out to God for mercy, we must acknowledge God for who He is, not for who we think He is.  God defines Himself.  God is so gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  But He calls us  to turn from our sins and recognize His truth.

God has the final say in everything, and I have found His mercy at every point in my life.  But He has often had to gently place His finger on areas of rebellion, wrong-doing, or wrong thinking, that I needed to acknowledge and turn from first.  God is always right, and if change needs to happen for me to experience mercy, it is always change within me, not Him.  Perfection need never be altered, and God is perfect in Mercy and in truth.

Lord teach us to seek Your mercy by turning from our sins and recognizing Your truth.  You are so merciful and gracious, teach us to be thankful and rejoice in who You are.

Amen