"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SINS"
Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.
Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:
Proverbs, God's Wisdom for daily living. Here the Lord tells us two very important truths about sins.
As the Bible often says, "Take Heed”, here is something to take heed to.
1. We are capable of covering our own sins.
Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
This is of course speaking of trying to cover our sins.
We can't really cover them from God.
Nothing is hidden from his sight.
Covering here means to keep them, and not forsake them.
This is a result of our own choice.
It's not a good choice to make.
2. If we cover our own sins we will not prosper.
Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Here we have the consequence of covering our sins.
We will not prosper.
This simply means things will not go well for us.
God wants us to prosper, or experience His blessing.
But covering our sins will keep us from prospering.
3. We are also capable of confessing and forsaking our sins.
Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Here is the other side of the proverbial coin.
We don't have to cover our sins.
We can confess them, or admit them to God.
We can also forsake them, or leave them, and stop sinning (by His grace and power).
4. If we confess and forsake our sins we will have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
If we choose to confess our sins, there is a good consequence.
That consequence is the mercy of God.
Being honest with the Lord opens the door for His mercy in our lives.
Not punishment, but mercy.
That's a promise from the Lord.
Some Questions:
1. How did this verse strike you today?
2. How did this verse speak to you today?
3. How is God directing you today through this verse?
4. Isn't it wonderful of God to give us His wisdom for our lives?
5. And isn't it wonderful that He gives us mercy?
A Prayer:
Father, thank You for laying out the truth for us so plainly and clearly. We need Your Wisdom day by day. We really appreciate it, Father.
Our problem is, that while we believe You, we don't always obey You. Would You help us to be more consistent in both our faith and our obedience. Thank You, Father
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
