This is a particular encouragement to do something regularly. Sometimes the encouragement is to believe a particular truth about God or be reminded of them. Certainly, there are truths that make this action something we should be encouraged to do but the focus is on God’s response to the thing we ought to do. And upon seeing how God responds that just might encourage you to do it with gladness.

As I near the end of the great book of Daniel, I noticed something I had not previously seen. The book of Daniel shows the people of God in a very favorable light. If Daniel and his three friends are representatives of how Israel trusts and obeys the Lord under dire circumstances then you might wonder why they are in exile at all.

However in chapter 9, Daniel prays a prayer of confession. However favorable we saw the people of God is now made clear and the exile makes very good sense. Obviously, this is already clear from Jeremiah which is the backstory to Daniel.

The first 19 verses of chapter 9 are the beginning words of the confession. However in verse 20, while he’s confessing, a familiar visitor comes to see Daniel. It says this—Daniel 9:20-23

[20] While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, [21] while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. [22] He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. [23] At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

You can hear the setup—while I was praying. We don’t know why until the visitor, Gabriel tells him (and us) there in 23. What he’s saying is, this is how God responded when you started confessing. The word went out and I was sent to speak with you.

Now you might be thinking, God isn’t likely to send Gabriel to see me when I confess my sins. Maybe not but why is there any need of that? Is that the motive to confess? God already knows AND he commands us to confess. We have offended the Holy God of the universe! We ought to confess!

Well, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us! We have something greater than Daniel! However notice that before confession, Daniel was troubled and confused about the visions he had seen. But upon confessing his sins, Gabriel is sent to explain them.

Some of our confusion with God’s word is not our lack of effort but rather our lack of repentance. However, don’t miss the point of the encouragement. God loves his people and responds to them quickly and gives them aid! Be encouraged to confess even if there is no obvious return because God hears you and forgives!