It Was Me
Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42
If [Israel] will confess their sins . . . I will remember my covenant with Jacob. Leviticus 26:40-42
Today's Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-45
Insight
The word translated “confess” (yadah) in Leviticus 26:40 can also be translated “praise” (Genesis 29:35; Psalm 18:49) or “give thanks” (Psalm 7:17). The first time in the Bible, however, this word carries the idea of “confession” is in Leviticus 5:5: “When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty . . . they must confess in what way they have sinned.” Here we find a guiding principle: When sin is exposed, it should be acknowledged and confessed. Sometimes, the Scriptures and the Spirit bring conviction from within. At other times, God uses people and circumstances to help us see what we can’t or are unwilling to see. Regardless of how the discovery comes, the prescription remains the same: Our relationship with God is restored when we confess and take responsibility for our sin. As John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In an old movie comedy, a bumbling but brilliant programmer is chosen for the first manned mission to Mars. Constantly making foolish mistakes, the programmer has a habit of blurting out, “It wasn’t me!” When the crew lands on Mars, the programmer slips from the top of the ladder and falls to the planet’s surface—just before his partner sets foot on it. The first words spoken on Mars are, “It wasn’t me!”
It’s a farcical story, but that programmer’s phrase is hauntingly realistic. Whenever there’s blame to go around, our response can sound a lot like, “It wasn’t me!”
God desires our obedience. But He also knows we’re prone to disobey Him. In Leviticus 26:1-13, God outlined His plan for Israel. If they obeyed His commands, He said, “I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers” (v. 9). But habitual disobedience would bring curses and afflictions designed to bring the people to repentance. Then God said that if disobedient Israel would “confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors” (v. 40), He would remember His covenant with them.
The key to restoring relationship with God is our admission of what we’ve done wrong. Blaming others keeps us trapped in the guilt cycle, powerless to vindicate ourselves.
Feeling far from God? A good place to start is by saying, “It was me.”
Reflect & Pray
What is your reflexive reaction when you might be to blame for something? Think of a time when you’ve been truly honest with God. What did it look like?
Loving God, I want to be honest with You about _______.