Be Honest with God by Susan Barnes
"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity." Psalm 32:5
One of our great fears in life is to be "found out". This is easy to see in children who find it difficult to own up to their misdeeds. Yet it is also true of adults. Adam and Eve's reaction to their sin was to hide from God. We are disappointed with ourselves when we sin and can't quite handle the fact that we are culpable. We fear that others will find out what we are really like. In this Psalm David talks about the great relief he felt once he acknowledged his sins before God and found forgiveness.
When it comes to seeking God's forgiveness acknowledgement is actually the hardest part, which is surprising given that God already knows what we have done. Nevertheless we find it easier to say, "I'm sorry" or even "will you forgive me?" than to say "I did it, I was wrong". But while acknowledgement is hard it is also very freeing because we no longer have to pretend that we are something we're not. We can stop acting and be real with God.
In the hymn "And Can It Be" Wesley expresses this thought by writing: "'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me" and in the very next verse he writes of the freedom he felt, describing it as chains falling off.
So let's us come boldly to the throne of grace acknowledging our sins and experience the freedom of being really honest with God.
Susan, an Australian pastor's wife, regularly writes devotional thoughts on Bible passages, book reviews and inspirational articles. Contact | 
