Text: 1 Samuel 7.5-6
This past weekend Pastor Jeff Manion pointed out the brevity of Israel’s statement, “We have sinned against the Lord” (1 Samuel 7.6). Israel’s confession is simple but profound. They not only admitted their need for God’s help, but they agreed with God about their sin: they confessed their actions as a direct offense against God himself.
Sadly, when we find ourselves in a spiritual predicament where we need God, we’re often unwilling to admit our wrongdoing in the matter. We struggle to let God reveal where our thoughts, words, or actions missed the mark as we refuse to see sin as it truly is—an offense against God himself. We may attempt to ignore the situation or try to muscle through, but God is neither oblivious nor obligated to bless us.
Israel experienced consequences for embracing other gods: they couldn’t live under the favor with God unless they confessed their sin. Pastor Manion reminded us this warning for Israel is also huge for us! If we run from God—if we defy him—and ignore all of the warnings he sends, we can’t think he’ll obligate himself to bless us.
However, “if we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1.9). Stand firm on that promise and begin a regular practice of confessing sin by writing out a prayer specifying ways you have offended God today.
