Step Six in Crisis: Humbly Confess Your Sin to God
By Rick Warren
“We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:5-6 (NLT)
In the last few devotionals, we’ve looked at how to pray during a crisis. Daniel shows us six key principles during his prayer in Daniel 9. The first five of these principles are:
- Let God speak to us before we speak to him.
- Focus our attention on God and seek him.
- Express our desires with passion.
- Demonstrate our seriousness through fasting.
- Thank God for his love and promises.
Finally, we need to humbly confess our sin.
God won’t listen to prideful complaining, but he will listen to humble confession. God responds to humility. He already knows every foolish thing you’ve ever done in your life, but he still wants you to confess your sin.
How does God respond when you humbly admit you blew it? He responds with forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
Confessing simply means agreeing with God about your sin. You tell God he is right—what you did was sin. You don’t make excuses. You don’t call it a mistake. You admit that you were wrong.
Get specific with your confession like Daniel did in Daniel 9:5-6:“We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land” (NLT).
Daniel didn’t end there, either. His confession went on for another 10 verses as he painstakingly described his sin.
He agreed with God that the Israelites had brought disgrace and shame on themselves, been unfaithful to God, paid no attention to what the Lord had told them, and been oblivious to God’s warnings.
That’s pretty specific.
Daniel’s prayer helps us understand how our unconfessed sin creates distance between God and us—and it’s a powerful reminder of how God answers our prayers as we agree with him about our sin. He is always faithful to forgive us when we come to him with a humble heart.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Discover God’s Pathway to Healing and Wholeness!
Everyone faces challenges in life—but you don’t have to stay stuck in them!
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study from Pastor Rick offers a powerful, biblically grounded pathway to freedom and transformation.
Rooted in the Beatitudes of Jesus, this 8-session video* and workbook study will guide you to . . .
• Break free from pain and unhealthy habits.
• Find true happiness and experience spiritual growth.
• Build a life of wholeness and healing in Christ.
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study is our thanks for your gift below to help take the hope of Jesus to more people through Daily Hope—so request your copy today!
We’re grateful for your partnership!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.