After God's Own HeartSample

SIN AND REPENTANCE

When I was first learning to drive, my mom asked me to back her car out of the garage before we left to run some errands. I took her keys and started to back it out, but in the process, I scraped her front bumper against the wall. I thought she would be furious, so I immediately started thinking of ways to cover up what had happened. Thankfully, I took a deep breath, and instead decided to just tell her the truth. Thankfully, she immediately forgave me! I still had to fix the car, but all my fear and anxiety washed away when I decided to confess what I had done.

Here is an inescapable truth: we are all sinners. Each of us, at one time or another, has done something we were not supposed to do. Likely, each of us has also experienced the moment of decision that comes after we sin. We fearfully ask ourselves “Should I come clean about what I did, or should I try to hide it?” Deep down, we all hope that our sin can remain hidden, but it never truly does.

In 2 Samuel 11-12, David learned this lesson the hard way. His cycle of sin begins with his decision to not go to battle with the rest of his army. Instead, he stays in Jerusalem and commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of his loyal soldier Uriah. When he finds out Bathsheba is pregnant, he does everything in his power to cover it up, eventually having Uriah killed on the battlefield. David likely thought he had successfully hidden his sin, but nothing is hidden from God. God sends Nathan to confront David about what happened, and David finally confesses. Although he still must endure the consequences of his actions, he realizes the work of God and decides to praise and worship him.

It’s easy to look at David’s sin and think “At least I haven’t done anything that bad.” But we know that all sin is destructive, no matter how large or small. We wish our sins would remain hidden, but nothing we do, say, or even think is hidden from God. Yet, despite the fact that He knows everything we have ever done wrong, God still desires to lavish His forgiveness upon us. When we sin we have two choices: hide it and let our shame and guilt haunt us until it is brought to light, or confess it to God, who knows everything we have done and has already forgiven us. I wonder how much joy and freedom we would all experience, even today, if we simply chose to walk in the light.

ASK YOURSELF: What things have you hidden that are weighing you down? How much more free would you feel if you told someone? Have you prayed and confessed to God? Who in your life can regularly confess to and walk in the light with?