All Have Sinned

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter, we meet Hester Prynne. Hester is required to wear the letter A on her chest, the flaming scarlet symbolizing her sin of adultery. But Hawthorne reminds us that perhaps the symbol should not be worn by Hester alone: “If truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom.”

Although they did not bear a scarlet letter, God’s people were experiencing the consequences of their disobedience and sin. They had spent the past seventy years exiled from their land. In today’s passage, Daniel utters a heartfelt prayer on behalf of his people, lamenting the sins of those who have often betrayed and disobeyed God.

Notice first Daniel’s humility in confession (v. 3). He was a respected leader in the Persian Empire, but he put on sackcloth to signify his penitent position before God. Second, notice Daniel’s focus in confession. He began his prayer by keeping the focus on God’s character and love (v. 4).

God’s character provides the context for confession. Our sin contrasts with His faithfulness: “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws” (v. 5). These sins are all too common. God’s righteousness is in direct contrast to our shame and unfaithfulness (v. 7). Daniel notes that outright disobedience against God has brought calamity and trouble upon His people (vv. 11–14).

We have all sinned against God (see. Rom. 3:23). Daniel’s prayer here can be a model of our confession—urgent, anguished, and crying out to God for His mercy while remembering God’s qualities of love and compassion to forgive His disobedient children (v. 19).

Pray with Us

Join us in prayer for Moody’s Educational Ministries faculty. Today, you can encourage Dennis Fledderjohann, Elizabeth Smith, Gina Behrens, and Michael Milco as they provide professional training for their students and foster their spiritual development.

BY Jamie Janosz

Jamie Janosz serves as a content development manager for Moody Bible Institute. She writes monthly devotionals for Today in the Word and has published non-fiction essays with Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics blog. Recently Jamie wrote a book titled When Others Shuddered: Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up (Moody Publishers). Jamie studied theology and writing at Moody Bible Institute, Columbia College, and Illinois State University. She lives on the Atlantic coast of Florida with her husband, Milt, and daughter, Sabrina.