See God = see my sin

 

Some days looking in the mirror reveals more than I want to see. Age spots, wrinkles, sagging eyes, the things that many seniors don’t want to see. No wonder those with dementia may not recognize themselves; we don’t look like we used to.

A similar sensation happens when taking a closer look at the Lord; my sin stands out, sin that I didn’t realize I had, or that I didn’t want to see. Today’s devotional speaks of prayer being a time to draw near to God with great fervency, seeing my sin yet realizing this is incentive to pray and the humbling reason that I must pray — like Daniel did:

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. (Daniel 9:3)

At times I’ve said, ‘About all we can do now is pray’ as if prayer were a spare tire used only in emergencies. Other times I’ve heard a tale of woe, expressed sympathy and walked away without praying. I’ve also told people I would pray and forgot all about it.

Daniel saw prayer as an opportunity to express his praise to God and his sinfulness and the sinfulness of the nation. He demonstrated his deep concerns by fasting and wearing sackcloth and ashes, which for him were symbols of his humility and deep contrition.

Some might wonder how this godly man could be so concerned about sin. He was not noted for it, nor was Paul in the NT who said, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

Walking in the light does that. The closer we get, the brighter that Light becomes and the more clearly we can see our sin. When I was a new Christian, it didn’t occur to me that gossip, or jealousy, or having a critical spirit, or many other things in my life were sins. To me, sin was the blatant stuff of those ten commandments, not the now and then expressions of my selfishness.

Daniel turned his face to the “Lord God” realizing He is sovereign over all things. This understanding has taken me years, yet it now affects how I view adversity and trials. God uses odd things, even the most difficult, to show me my sin and to reveal His power. The effect of that is being able to pray with a greater focus, not only on Him but on the need for mercy from Him for myself and for others.

I also need to caution myself that this understanding of prayer does not cause me to criticize those who pray flippantly, or who talk to God as if He is their genie in a bottle. Prayer is asking for grace, but it is also humbly seeking His will and direction. For me, prayer is a profound privilege and a holy endeavor I do not earn or deserve.

Jesus, Your Word says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16) You are my righteousness and that means I can pray, yet if there is unconfessed sin in my heart, You are not obligated to listen because confession of my sin is a priority over answering prayer about the sins of others. “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) and “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9) Keep me informed of my sin that I might pray with fervor and effectiveness, and a deep thankfulness that You hear and answer prayer. That means keeping me close to You.

CONSIDER: How do the words of Jesus in Luke 11:5–13 illustrate the benefits of humble, persistent prayer? Does anything need to change in the way I pray?