Scripture:
“Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” – Daniel 4:27 (NIV)
Repentance is more than being sorry for our sins. To repent is to renounce sin, and go in the opposite direction.
God desires a change of behavior. He is not concerned with our lament or sacrifice, He wants us to do what is right. He wants us to be kind to the oppressed. Who are the oppressed, and are we intentionally or unintentionally party to their oppression? Ask God to show you. Ask Him to show us as a community. Let us renounce our sin and do what is right.
Prayer:
Lord, show us our sins, individually and as a church. Help us renounce our sin, disavow our wickedness, and take action to do what is right. We reject the temptation to allow pride to keep us from seeing the truth about ourselves. We seek You humbly. Speak to us, Lord. We are listening.