Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy – Micah 7:18

There is nothing more torturous than anticipating the reaction of someone you have offended. “When will he return?” “What will he say?”

I remember the day I broke into my mother’s bedroom and stole some money. I was a very crafty teenager. My mother was on a business trip, so I had a lot of time to cover my tracks. However, one of my aunties confronted me when she observed my spending spree. After suffering through her interrogation, she promised she wouldn’t tell. But I was not sure. Therefore, I put on my best shine. I swept every corner of our house, washed all my mother’s clothes, including the clean ones. I cooked her favorite meal, and made sure I was by the roadside to welcome her. As she distributed the fish to the retailers through the night, my heart was in my mouth. Had my auntie revealed our secret? Will my mother forgive me?  I could literally feel her cane tearing into my back; until she entered her bedroom and bid me goodnight.

Sometimes, we mess up very bad with God. We know what we have done, but no one saw us. We are burning on the inside, hoping our silence would keep it buried for good; but it will not. Our conscience will wrestle with us until we come clean and seek forgiveness.

We do not have to suffer the torture of concealed sin; our God is merciful. David describes his feelings during such a time after the Bathsheba trilogy – adultery, deception, murder.

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin (Ps. 32:3-5).

Isn’t it good to know that God is merciful and trustworthy? “Who is a God like you,” Micah said (Micah 7:18). He pardons sin. He forgives our transgressions. He does not remain angry forever because He delights in showing mercy. That’s what Jesus has become for us. Why then, should we suffer under the burden of unconfessed sin? Why will we not take advantage of His promise to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, if we confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9)?

I got my lashes the following day alright, but I didn’t have to suffer in the shadows again. I was free and liberated. That’s the power of God’s loving discipline. It freed me from myself and slavery to stealing.

You don’t have to suffer as I did that night, my friend. Jesus is waiting to hear from you. He knows how low you’ve fallen, but His mercy and grace are far deeper than your sins. He is eager to forgive and restore in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, come out of your hiding place and into the liberating light and presence of God in Christ Jesus.

Remember, God’s forgiveness assures healing for our aching bones.