September 22, 2019: SOAP #3580:  Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 9:11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

Observation:  The same God who blessed Israel when they were walking in His ways, is the same God who brought the curses and judgments against them when they turned from His ways.  God was faithful to bring judgment as He was to bring blessings.  Why?  Because God is first, faithful to Himself.

Application:  The character of God does not change when He deals with the nations of the earth or with individuals.  God is faithful to His word.  He is faithful to bless or bring judgment.  God has made a way that our sins can be forgiven, and we can be made just as if we had never sinned!   It is amazing, but that has been provided for us by the death of Jesus on the cross.  He who never sinned, received the punishment as though He had sinned so that I who had sinned could be accepted as though I had never sinned!

Prayer:   Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  Your death on the cross is credited to me and my sins are forgiven and cleansed.  Come live in my heart.  Show me how you speak to me.  I make you my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me and joining me in this life as my Lord. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!