Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
We all have a conscience. Even the very youngest of our children know when they have done something wrong and we have all seen those funny videos on the various social media platforms where they flatly deny taking the slice of chocolate cake with a mouth that is smeared with the chocolate. They may even try to hide the evidence of having broken something that they were told not to touch. But it’s not really something to laugh at. We need to teach them they need to say sorry, and then we need to prove that we forgive them, even when we show them that there are consequences for what they have done. (Doing without pocket money for a week perhaps?)
When we get older, we may still not want to admit that we have done something wrong and some people become a bit better at concealing the evidence. But the one thing that happens is that we feel bad; our conscience is at work. We have lost our peace of mind. I believe that even people who continually choose to break the law will have no peace of mind and try to make up for that with other things. But it’s a horrible feeling when you are restless and know that you have lost that peace of mind. My conscience is very sensitive and I need to confess as soon as I can when I know I have done something wrong. And oh, the relief, when I have done so!
When we are not in the place that we should be in our Christian walk we can be tempted not to go to church, or to read our bibles. But God knows all about it anyway. He waits for us to confess and He forgives us and puts us back on our feet. Nicky Gumbel observes in the “Bible In One Year” notes for today that, “getting down on our knees is the best way to get back on our feet”, and indeed, oh the relief to come under the mercy of God, even when there may be consequences for what we have done. He will work things out for our good and His glory.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your mercy and grace. May I never take it for granted and may I always be quick to extend mercy to others as a follower of Jesus. I ask in His Name. Amen.