Hiding Sin

Read Psalm 101

Read Joshua 7

Who can hide sin from God? Achan thought he could. So did Adam and Eve. But hiding sin from God is about as effective as making clothes out of fig leaves. Did the fig leaves cover up Adam and Eve's nakedness very well? Would those clothes have lasted very long? They certainly couldn't have been comfortable!

Achan thought hiding items under his tent would work. He took some beautiful items, costly items, items that were supposed to be devoted to destruction and kept them. He coveted. He stole. He hid.

But God found out. From this chapter we are severely warned not to sin, and not to hide sin. Indeed, Psalm 101 goes through a list of offenses that God despises: a perverse heart, slander, arrogance, deceit, lies, and all manners of wickedness. God says that he will cut them off and destroy them.

Like Achan, we have coveted. We have committed the sins of Psalm 101 as well. So now what?

Let us not hide our sins from God, but let Jesus hide those sins. We can't cover them up, but Jesus covers them with his blood. We can't remove the guilt, but Jesus can take those sins and guilt and drown them in the depths of the sea, remove them as far as the east is from the west. His blood was shed for our cleansing. We are washed in the blessed flood of baptism. Our sins are covered and removed. Through Jesus we are clean, whole, forgiven, and given new life.

Like Achan, let us confess our sins to God. But let us do it before we are confronted and judged! "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." (Psalm 32:1).

Thanks be to God, who is merciful and forgiving! I desire to live for him who redeemed me! Amen!

Pray:

Lord Jesus, think on me
And purge away my sin;
From worldly passions set me free
And make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me
Nor let me go astray;
Through darkness and perplexity
Point out Your chosen way.

(LSB 610:1, 4, Public Domain).

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!