Mercies and Forgiveness

Daniel 9:9 KJV

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

While the word belongs (or belongeth) is added by the translators for clarification, I am of the conviction that it belongs in the text. That said, the theme of belonging is a focal point in this prayer of Daniel's.

To the people belongs "confusion of face...because we have sinned against thee." (vs 8) It is proper for us to rehearse both to ourselves and to the Lord what is our rightful possession. And what we deserve is always "because we have sinned against" God. Our problem is always in relation to our standing with God, not with our own selves and not with others. So it does not matter that we believe something to be all right nor does it matter that others condone our thoughts and actions. Sin is always against God so God's view is the only one that matters.

To God belongs:

• Righteousness (vs 7)
• Mercies and
• Forgiveness

God is always righteous which is the basis for why our sin issue is with God. We must settle with that truth. He is right and He is righteous. Once we have come to be convinced of that, then God's Word declares God is also:

Merciful

Compassionate and tender. His mercies toward us are new every morning. O how God loves His people! That does not dismiss His righteousness and justice, but it is still a very real truth. God's compassion toward us longs to reach out and embrace and bless and minister grace to us.

Forgiveness

Webster's Dictionary says that the original meaning of forgiveness is the rejection or the putting away of the offense and the application of that is the forgiving of the offending person. The first act in forgiveness is not just a different attitude toward the offending person but the rejection of and refusal to hold on to the offense. Forgiveness requires that the offense not be taken into consideration.

God owns that type of forgiveness.

• It is His property
• It is His possession and
• It is His to righteously give as He pleases

For further thoughts on forgiveness click here:
http://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com/2007/10/between-dead-and-living.html