God’s Magic Slate

God’s Magic Slate

(Read Psalm 51:1-12)

“See what I bought, Mother,” said Megan excitedly as she took a magic slate out of a sack. She began scribbling on it as they drove home. “Now look,” she said as she lifted the top plastic sheet. “The writing is all gone.” As she talked, her brother Andy simply stared out the window. He wasn’t hearing the conversation or seeing the scenery.

“Andy!” Mother raised her voice. “This is the third time I’ve called your name. Is something wrong?”

“No.” Andy lapsed into silence again.

And now you’ve told another lie, his conscience said. That makes two.

Andy sighed deeply. But it was a little lie, he argued with his conscience.

“I know something is bothering you, Andy,” insisted Mother. “Want to talk?”

“I told Dad a lie yesterday,” Andy blurted out.

Mother was silent for a moment. Then she nodded. “He knows that,” she said softly, “but he is waiting for you to admit it.”

Megan, busy with her magic slate, paid no attention to the conversation. She chuckled as she said, “I made a stupid mistake! I put a long tail on a rabbit! Oh, well! I’ll just erase it and start over.” Again she lifted the top plastic sheet, and like magic, the picture disappeared.

Mother smiled. “When you sin, Andy, it’s something like writing the wrong thing on a magic slate,” she said. “If you don’t do anything about it, it remains there. But if you repent of your sins and admit them to God, he will erase them. Tell both your dad and the Lord what you told me. Let them know you’re sorry, and the slate will be clean.”

Megan smoothed the plastic sheet on her slate. “This time I’m going to do it right,” she announced.

“Me, too, Megan,” echoed Andy. “Me, too.” BJW

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you told a lie? Disobeyed? Been sassy? Cheated? Right now, admit to God whatever sin you are aware of in your life and let him wipe the slate clean.

Confess Your Sin

MEMORIZE:

“The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: ‘I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.’” Isaiah 57:15