Confess And Forsake

Read Proverbs 28

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

“Cover your tracks.” “Cover your bets.” “Cover your rear.” Solomon’s own father, King David, attempted to cover his sin of adultery with Bathsheba with hypocrisy and more sin. He certainly suffered for it, and many of his relationships and dealings were hindered as a result. But he also experienced the truth of the rest of the verse: He confessed, he turned away from his sins, and he received God’s mercy—that is, he did not receive what he deserved (see 2 Samuel 11:1–12:25).

Like people in Old Testament times, we are no strangers to the art of the cover-up. From high levels of government to the office building down the street to our own bedrooms, we “modern” human beings are tempted to sin and then further tempted to cover our sins. Eventually we are discovered or so wracked with remorse that the truth comes out. But the experience of David can be ours as well: We can confess, forsake our sins, and hold open our hands to receive God’s mercy.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Confession plus repentance add up to mercy.

Lord, I praise you that you are a merciful God. Be merciful to me, a sinner.