11 Jun, 2008
Do you have any "dark secrets"?
Those terrible tabloids!
How about us? We often try to hide "dark" secrets don't we? It might be about starting a rumor about someone we don't like. How about a sexual relationship or hiding a certain magazine in the bedroom or a certain web site? Maybe it involves lying to parents about a party? Could it be cheating on a test or hiring someone to write your term paper? Stealing an item that's worth only a buck is no big deal right? Then why do little "dark" secrets bother us?
Psalm 51:5-12 (NLT)
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
According to today's God's Story scripture, what is the connection between covering up sin and having joy?
Even if we have never murdered someone or committed adultery, we all have something in common with King David. Unconfessed sin will chase joy out of our lives.
David wrote this psalm after being confronted about having an affair with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. His guilt had driven a wedge between God and himself. He cried out for God to forgive him and restore the joy of their relationship.
Attempting to cover up our sins is useless. Even if others don't discover our "secrets", God knows everything about us all the time. If you are a believer (someone who has trusted Jesus to be your Savior), the guilt of unconfessed sin will gut your joy faster than anything else in life. It makes intimacy with God impossible. Here's the good news! The loving Heavenly Father will forgive us and make us pure again. We still have to face some earthly consequences, but God will bring back our joy!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Confess our sins to God...all of them...every one that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Thank God that according to 1st John 1:9, He will cleanse you and make your relationship perfect again. Thank Him for restoring your joy just as He did with King David. Remember that David continued to be "a man after God's own heart" according to God's Word. Ask Jesus to help you desire His heart every day.
- For the next two weeks, do a daily evaluation with God to see if there's anything in your life that needs to be confessed. Enjoy His joy!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Follow through on the challenge above (for two weeks, do a daily evaluation with God to see if there's anything in your life that needs to be confessed. Enjoy His joy!) One of the results may be that you want to make things right with others and tell them about the joy you've received from God.
- Talk "tabloids" with one of your friends or family members who need Jesus. Ask him or her if they believe all the "secrets" about famous people in the news? Use this as an opportunity to talk about your story. Share how Jesus is helping you uncover your "secrets" and forgiving you. Spread His joy!
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