MAY 24, 2012
Coverups Stink
Read: Psalm 32:1-5
Blessed is he whose
transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. —Psalm 32:1
The smell at an overflowing garbage landfill
site became a growing public
concern. So workers installed high-pressured
deodorant guns to counteract
the smell. The cannons could spray several gallons
of fragrance a minute
over a distance of up to 50 yards across the mounds of
putrefying garbage.
However, no matter how many gallons of deodorant are
sprayed to mask the odorous rubbish, the fragrance will serve only as a coverup
until the source
of the stench is removed.
King David tried a coverup as well. After his
adultery with Bathsheba, he
attempted to use silence, deceit, and piety to mask
his moral failures
(2 Sam. 11–12). In Psalm 32 he talks about experiencing
the intense
convicting hand of God when he remained silent (vv.3-4). Unable to
withstand the conviction any longer, David uncovered his sin by
acknowledging,
confessing, and repenting of it (v.5). He no longer
needed to cover it because
God forgave him.
It’s futile to try to hide our sin. The stench
of our disobedience will seep
through whatever we use to try to cover it. Let’s
acknowledge to God the
rubbish in our hearts and experience the fresh cleansing
of His grace and forgiveness.
Father, I know that I
cannot hide my sins from You
for You know what’s in my heart. I confess them
now to You. Cleanse me, forgive me, and help
me to make a brand-new start. Amen.
Own up to your sin and
experience the joy of confession.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
