Feb 21 2009
Risking Everything for the Sake of Doing Right
Have you ever thought you were doing the right thing and it turned out that it was not? Tried to play by the rules before finding out the rules had changed and you were out of the loop? It happens sometimes when we have the best of motives. It’s a humbling experience and not one we look forward to. But what happens when we must risk everything to admit we were wrong? That’s a tough one, isn’t it? To go to the boss and admit we blew it…Wow, it doesn’t get much harder than that in today’s tight job market.
What does Scripture say about covering up our sin? Remember the story of David? Now I realize David knew exactly what he was doing when he sinned with Bathsheba, but my point here is that David covered up his sin rather than admitting it.
And how did God handle it? Well, first of all, God didn’t reject David and forsake him. He still loved David, just as He still loves us, no matter what happens. In His mercy God actually used the Prophet Nathan to expose the truth of the matter and turn David’s heart around. At the same time God didn’t excuse his sin, and He won’t gloss over it if we do the wrong thing and try to cover our mistakes rather than admitting them.
David said this in Psalm 32: “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me. My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord,” and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.” He goes on to say, “Thou art my hiding place, Thou dost preserve me from trouble.” He was actually relieved and comforted when he finally dumped his terrible weight of guilt on the Lord.
We serve a big God, who loves us unconditionally. But He wants us to run to Him when we’re troubled, no matter what the issue. Does He guarantee a good outcome if we confess our mistakes?
No, but He says He will be with us and see us through and give us peace and the sense of integrity that comes with doing the right thing at all costs. And most of all we can know that our hearts do not condemn us.
Like a little child who broke a vase then hid the pieces from his mother, the load of guilt grows heavier by the minute, doesn’t it? In the same way, the load lightens instantly when we confess our sins and stop trying to hide. Only then can we feel the comfort of knowing we are forgiven. As adults we can know that God is sovereign and will make a way when we choose to do the right thing no matter what it costs us.
In a day of anything goes, of this we can be sure. Those who do the right thing will shine like the noonday sun in the darkest night, a testimony to what it really means to be a Christian. And what could be better than that?
Because of His great love,
Nancy
You’re right.