“He that covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Today’s Christian Daily Devotional
The desire to do better is in the heart of most humans. Most people strive to do better, be better or to achieve more. Along with lofty goals and high expectations comes the added pressure and stress that can sometimes make it harder to grow. Many who are caught up in the struggle for perfection choose to cover their mistakes for fear of facing failure. It is hard to own up to something we are ashamed of, isn’t it? But, the simple truth is, hiding only prevents us from dealing with the truth. By not facing the truth, we actually prevent ourselves from getting the proper help we need to stop the destructive behavior. We also put ourselves in the position that prevents right choices from even being looked at as an option. Not to mention there is the added stress of embarking on a life of hiding. The more we hide, the more WORK it takes to hide ourselves. At the end of the day, don’t we all just want to be loved and accepted for who we REALLY are? That is the wonderful thing about God. He knows us! He knows the deep, dark dirty secrets that we don’t even feel comfortable admitting to ourselves. He knows all about that junk…and guess what? He loves us anyway! God wants us to get real with Him, to confess our sins, turn from them and get the kind of mercy that we feel we do not deserve. That is exactly what the miracle of mercy is all about! There is no deserving it, or earning it! The very nature of mercy is that it is a gift that is extended to us (with no strings attached)– but it cannot be ours unless we TAKE it. Are you ready to let go of the baggage that has been holding your life down? Give it to God, and as you do, those burdens that once weighed you down, will be lifted off!
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the mercy that is available to me! Help me to always come to you when the burdens of my sinful ways are stopping me from being all that I can be. I do not want to cover my sins, because it says in your word that by doing this, I will not prosper! I want success, favor and blessing in my life. I pray that the wisdom of your word be the very motivation for me to let go of the things that are holding me back, and keeping me from the good things that you intended for my life when you created me. Give me the life that you dreamed of for me; and help me to see that vision whenever I am tempted to veer off-tract. In Jesus’ precious name, to be all that I can be for you (and me) Amen.”