God responds to humility. Many people hesitate to admit their sins because they think they’re going to get punished. But God already knows about all your sin! He knows every mistake you’ve made in your entire life. He just wants you to confess them. He wants you to show humility.

When you are humble before God, he doesn’t respond with punishment. He responds with forgiveness, mercy, and blessing. God’s not going to take you down—that’s what your pride does. When you humbly confess your sin, God is quick to forgive. He gives grace to the humble.

The Greek word for “confess” is homologeo. Homo means “same.” Logeo means “to speak.” To confess simply means to agree with God about your sin. You say to him, “You’re right. That was a sin. I don’t want to make excuses for it. You told me not to do it, but I did it anyway. It was wrong. It was rebellion against you.”

Daniel said, “We have sinned and done wrong,” but he didn’t just stop there: “We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants . . . Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame” (Daniel 9:5-7 NIV).

Daniel got very specific with his confession, and you need to as well. Don’t lump all your sins from today together, as if you’re too busy to name them. God wants you to be specific, because he wants you to know what not to do again.

Knowing that the Israelites didn’t deserve God’s blessing, Daniel threw himself on the grace of God. When you humbly confess your sin to God, you are surrendering your will to his. You are acknowledging your weakness and asking for God’s mercy. God’s answer is always grace.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).