“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
(I John 1:9)
I had a blow-out yesterday. While I was driving back to my office after lunch, I ran over something and blew out a tire on my pick-up. It went completely flat instantly. I drove on it for a couple blocks to find a better place to change the tire, but apparently that made matters worse. I couldn’t get the lug nuts off with my wimpy lug-wrench. And, since I left my cell phone in my office, I couldn’t call for help very quickly. Fortunately, a “Good Samaritan” came to my rescue with a bigger lug-wrench, but in the process I broke one of the studs and stripped another. I had to get 2 new studs and a new tire. When I finally got to the tire shop, they found a 3-inch gash in the tire. No wonder it went flat so quickly.
King David experienced a spiritual blowout in his life, even though he is referred to as “a man after God’s heart.” He committed adultery with Bathsheba. One thing led to another. Before David knew what hit him, he had broken almost all of the Ten Commandments – he coveted, he committed adultery, he stole, he lied, he murdered, he disgraced the name of God, etc, etc. He tried to keep driving on his “flat tire” for another year, but that only made matters worse – he was miserable (c.f. Psalm 32:3-4). But, when David finally confessed his sin to God; God forgave him, purified his heart, and restored his joy (c.f. Psalm 32:5; 51:10-12).
Have you ever had a spiritual blowout? Blowouts are caused by sin – whether big or small. If you try to ignore it and drive on it for awhile, your joy will inevitably turn to misery. Fortunately, there is a cure for spiritual blowouts: confession. When you confess your sin to God; He forgives you, cleanses your soul, restores your relationship with Him, and renews your joy. Praise the Lord!
Dear Heavenly Father,
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love…
Create in me a pure heart … and renew a steadfast spirit within me…
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Psalm 51:1 & 10-12)
