Have you heard the saying “Cheaters never prosper?” You parents may have told you that when you were a child because one of the kids on your block wasn’t playing fair. There is some truth to that wisdom. Sinners don’t prosper if they continue to conceal what they have done. God doesn’t bless sinfulness, and soon it will take a toil. Instead, he gives us mercy when we come clean. When we do, we are cascaded with mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
“The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.”
Shot to the Heart
The wisdom of proverbs hits right to our heart sometimes. When most of them are logical and wise, some are convicting like this one. If we try to hide our sins, we will not prosper, but if we confess them, we will get the relief needed. Sinners never prosper but those who confess will find mercy.
Our Greatest Fear
I think people’s greatest fear today isn’t speaking in public or of heights, but it is being exposed for who we really are. People go to great efforts to conceal what is happening in their lives. We put up a facade that gives the impression that everything is fine, but in reality we are nervous that something is going to happen that will reveal what we have done. Sadly, most of our bad deeds are no big deal if they came to light, but in our guilt and shame, we convince ourselves that everyone will think we are horrible people. Stop trying to hide your sins and ask for forgiveness.
Mercy for the Miserable
When we come clean with what we have done there is a sense of relief. The weight that has been on our shoulders is gone, and we feel free. One of the benefits we get that we don’t realize is that God gives us mercy. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. God doesn’t punish us for most of our sins because his mercies are new every morning. If you are miserable because of your sin take them to God and let his mercy cascade over your weary soul.