Daniel 9:12-13 - True Confession

Daniel 9:12-13 (NLTse)

[12] You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. [13] Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. [14] Therefore, the LORD has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The LORD our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.

Verses 7-8 of Daniel 9 admit shame because of sin and hard-heartedness. Now verses 12-13 acknowledge that not only have they been disciplined because they refused to listen, but that God was right in doing so. Confession is not only admitting that we did something we shouldn’t have, but acknowledging our shame for what we have done and God’s perfect right to discipline us in any way he chooses.

Too often confession is simply a means for us to try and escape discipline. I’ll admit that I did something I probably shouldn’t have done if it will keep me from bad consequences. But there is no real shame for what we did, nor is there a willingness to accept whatever discipline is deemed appropriate. True confession acknowledges real guilt.

The good news of the gospel is that the judgement of my sin has been taken by Jesus on the cross. But even there, confession admits that we deserve the cross. As long as we think, “I’m pretty good. I’m not too bad, I’m not as bad as . . .” we are excusing sin and refusing to come to grips with our own brokenness. Forgiveness begins with admitting that we have done something that needs to be forgiven.

Daniel writes in verse 13, “Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.” The “feel good about yourself” culture of our world keeps us from finding true healing in Christ. It’s not that we need to sit in burlap and ashes for the rest of our lives, but healing begins with admitting that we are sick. Redemption begins with admitting that we are separated from God. Confession is acknowledging our shame for what we have done and God’s perfect right to discipline us in any way he chooses.