Day 304 "The Cleansing Power of Confession"

Passage: Acts 19:18

Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.

Devotion

I read a story once of three penniless knights who were lost on their return home from their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They were caught in a violent rainstorm that lasted for seven days. During the first day of their ordeal they crossed a creek bed in the black of night. Suddenly they heard a voice from heaven that commanded, "Pick up some of the pebbles and you will be glad and sad." The first weary knight thought this directive was ridiculous, so he refused. The second knight reached down, picked up a hand full of the stones and put them in his pack. The third knight dismounted and then stuffed an empty saddlebag with the stones. Six arduous days later the weather broke. Finally they were able to make camp and rest. On opening his saddlebag, the third knight discovered that it was filled with precious jewels. His joy was boundless. The second knight found a handful of precious stones in his pack. He was glad he had them, but sad he did not have more. The first knight was very sad because he was still penniless.

Confession is like a hidden treasure when we have lost our way in the storms of life. We will be sad, sad and glad, or overjoyed depending on our willingness to claim its riches. 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." Feeling distant from God? Maybe it is time to openly and honestly confess: 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Questions to Ponder:

Are you having trouble right now connecting with God? Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you what sin you continue to hold on to. Let go of the excuses and honestly confront denial--we need to come out of darkness to walk in the light of the Lord. Will you confess right now?