When we hide our sins, joy hides from us. Sin separates us from The Lord, and robs the mercy that He longs to give us. The Evil one will tell you that you are not worthy of mercy, that you have messed up too greatly to receive it. When he does this, he is speaking in his native tongue. Jesus exposed Satan when he said, “He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
It is absurd to hide what God already knows and what the devil tells us to hide. We need to confess our sins to the One who loves us and died to give us the spiritual gifts of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
Do not trust the Evil one with your joy; he cannot be trusted with it and he will do everything in his power to destroy it. Like a viper’s nature is to strike, Satan, the Accuser, is like a thief whose purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
We are to entrust our joy with Jesus, our Redeemer whose purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life, and one to the full. (John 10:10)
“If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13
The Accuser plots; but God plans.
“God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!).”
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:4-5, 10
Trust God who holds the plans, and thank Him continually for His mercy.
Beth Stafford, Daughters of Encouragement