Confessing Our Wrongs
Scripture Reading — Psalm 106:1-12
We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
Psalm 106:6
It’s easier to say, “They sinned,” or even, “We’ve sinned,” than to admit, “I have sinned!”
We prefer to hide behind a safe wall of general blame rather than to step up, stand alone, and individually confess our sin.
We could read the verse in our psalm for today and keep things fairly safe by saying, “We have sinned.” We even feel a little more comfortable when we add the phrase “as our ancestors did.” Doing so means we’re not in it alone—and never were. Saying “I sinned; I lied or acted wickedly” kicks up our confession a notch and makes it more personal. Yet even that is not enough!
If we desire a truly healthy relationship with God, we must come to the point of being able to identify our specific wrongs, our particular acts of wickedness.
It’s healthier to confess the sin of alcohol abuse and thereby clear the way to doing something about it. It’s better to confess, “I’ve gossiped,” than to simply say, “I’ve sinned.”
Damaged or alienated relationships experience a more powerful healing when we confess what we’ve done wrong and plead for forgiveness. Confessing sincerely and experiencing forgiveness, we’ll exclaim with the psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Gracious and compassionate God, we give you thanks for the wonderful assurance in your Word that we are forgiven when we confess and repent. Help us to do so. Amen!
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!