Confusion of Faces
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8
Have you ever watched a movie where a particular scene touched your feelings, leading to an unstoppable flow of tears? The visual representation was so relatable that it triggered a suppressed memory that caused you to cry uncontrollably. Such an experience demonstrates the powerfulness of the art of storytelling. Yet, it reminds us that our experiences throughout life and generational lines are deeply connected. In all His power and authority, the Creator can evoke the same emotion with a shared understanding when believers connect with Him for true fellowship.
This connection occurs only through the source of communication via our prayers. Daniel demonstrates this process in the 9th chapter of the book named after him. Daniel penned a unique phase twice in his prayer, which captives a similar feeling. The phrase that he wrote is confusion of faces. In Hebrew, this phrase represents a single word bosheth (BO-sheth), which means shame. Bosheth describes a sense of shame and conveys feelings of regret.
As we age, oftentimes, the feelings of regret become overwhelming. To cope with this, it is essential to recognize that although we cannot change the past, we can choose to make better decisions for the future. Simultaneously, we must accept the past and release the burden of shame and regret. However, some people dwell too long and too often on their missed opportunities while increasing their feelings of shame, enabling more and more bosheth to materialize. Have you ever spoken with someone who always brings up the past so they can relive the glory days of yesteryears? Like Daniel, believers must learn to let go by admitting their mistakes, as noted below.
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8
True confession ushers restoration while enabling us to become responsible for our actions. We must learn that our imperfections invite God’s mercy while opening our eyes to authentic holiness. Therefore, believers cannot avoid bosheth. Believers must embrace bosheth to renew their fellowship with God. Remember, only when we become ashamed of our thoughts and actions are we more prepared to fellowship with God.
O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8