Daniel (Greek) 9:12-16: a reflection

12He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such has not been done as has been done to Jerusalem. 13As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us. Yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth. 14Therefore the LORD has watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15“Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as it is today, we have sinned. We have done wickedly. 16Lord, according to all your righteousness, please let your anger and your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.

In the midst of the exile, Daniel prays a prayer of confession that is remarkable for its honesty: he owns the people's sin fully, and acknowledges that God has been just in all he has done. The LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does, Daniel prays, and we have not obeyed his voice. He does not make excuses, does not blame God for the calamity, does not minimize the confession; he says plainly, we have sinned, we have done wickedly, and God is righteous. Only then, having owned the sin and acknowledged God's justice, does he appeal to God's mercy: according to all your righteousness, let your anger be turned away. Honest confession owns our sin without excuse and acknowledges God's justice, and on that honest ground appeals to his mercy. Daniel does not defend himself or accuse God; he confesses truly, and asks for mercy.

Notice the honesty of Daniel's confession: he owns the sin and acknowledges God's justice. He does not make excuses or shift the blame; he does not accuse God of being unfair; he says plainly that the people have sinned and that God is righteous in all he has done. This is confession without evasion: owning our wrong fully, acknowledging that God is just, not defending ourselves or blaming him. And it is on this honest ground that Daniel appeals for mercy. True confession does not minimize our sin or question God's justice; it owns the one and acknowledges the other, and then asks for mercy. There is an integrity in this that half-confession lacks, the kind that makes excuses, or blames circumstances, or quietly resents God. Daniel's confession holds nothing back and accuses no one but the people themselves; and from that honesty it appeals to God's mercy. Honest confession is the ground on which we rightly seek mercy.

That is worth taking to heart, for honest confession owns our sin without excuse, acknowledges God's justice, and appeals to his mercy. We can confess our sins half-heartedly, making excuses, shifting blame, or quietly resenting God as though he were unfair; but Daniel confessed honestly, owning the sin fully and acknowledging that God is righteous, and on that ground appealed for mercy. True confession does not minimize our wrong or question God's justice; it owns the one and acknowledges the other. Do not confess your sins with excuses or blame; own them honestly, acknowledge God's justice, and appeal to his mercy, as Daniel did. Confess your sins honestly, owning them without excuse and acknowledging God's justice, and on that honest ground appeal to his mercy, as Daniel prayed that God is righteous in all his works and that the people had sinned and done wickedly, then asked that God's anger be turned away; for true confession does not minimize our wrong, shift the blame, or question God's justice, but owns our sin fully and acknowledges that God is just, and it is on that honest ground, not on excuses, that we rightly appeal to his mercy.

Lord, in the midst of the exile, Daniel prays a prayer of confession that is remarkable for its honesty: he owns the people's sin fully, and acknowledges that you have been just in all you have done. The LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does, Daniel prays, and we have not obeyed his voice. He does not make excuses, does not blame you for the calamity, does not minimize the confession; he says plainly, we have sinned, we have done wickedly, and God is righteous. Only then, having owned the sin and acknowledged your justice, does he appeal to your mercy: according to all your righteousness, let your anger be turned away. Show me the honesty of Daniel's confession: he owns the sin and acknowledges your justice. He does not make excuses or shift the blame; he does not accuse you of being unfair; he says plainly that the people have sinned and that you are righteous. This is confession without evasion. And it is on this honest ground that Daniel appeals for mercy. True confession does not minimize our sin or question your justice; it owns the one and acknowledges the other, and then asks for mercy. Take that to my heart, for honest confession owns my sin without excuse, acknowledges your justice, and appeals to your mercy. I can confess my sins half-heartedly, making excuses, shifting blame, or quietly resenting you as though you were unfair; but Daniel confessed honestly. Keep me from confessing my sins with excuses or blame; help me own them honestly, acknowledge your justice, and appeal to your mercy, Lord, as Daniel did, praying that you are righteous in all your works and that the people had sinned.