CARRYING GUILT

CARRYING GUILT

 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.” —Genesis 44:16

 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” —Genesis 42:21

             The brothers of Joseph had carried this guilt for what they had done to him for 22 years.  For 22 years they had kept their dastardly deed hid.  Now they believed that God was uncovering their guilt and that all this was happening because of what they had done.  Yes, they believed they were being punished for what they had done.  The distress that was upon Joseph when he had pleaded with his brothers not to sell him had now come upon them.

            God knows our guilt.  He knows everything about us.  He even knows our thoughts, intentions and attitudes of our very hearts.  He sees what nobody else can see, but He sees!  Nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight.  “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).  “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).  It will not be hidden forever.

            Better to confess sin than to carry guilt around.  “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).  Yes, we need to confess any known sin to stay in fellowship with our Lord.  Even when we do confess our sin there could be consequences for it— circumstantial or relational.  But let us be right before our Lord who knows all and before people.  There is such freedom to walk in forgiveness!  So may it be!

Dear Father search my heart to see if there be any wicked way there.  Any sin I have I will confess it to You.  Oh, that I would truly seek to live a life that is pleasing to You and may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja5oBZRbpbs