11.12.04

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9 NASB^®

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16 NASB^®

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. - 1 John 5:14-15 NASB^®

Darrell Lewis is 40 years old and a bank robber. When Darrell viewed himself on TV fleeing police after a bank robbery, he thought that it was only a matter of time before he was caught. So, Darrell did what some sane people would do at that point - he turned himself in to police. However, there was a glitch in his plan. The glitch was that Darrell was told to come back the next day and turn himself in then. Apparently, they were not making arrests that day. Darrell went to another police station the next day and was able to have himself arrested and charged with bank robbery.

It is pretty sad when you want to confess to the crime and no one wants to listen. Some people think that God is that way. Some think that God is only listening at certain times and certain places. But that is not what the Bible says. God is not only listening but He is also responding whenever someone comes to Him in repentance and humility.

We can always come to God through our Lord Jesus to confess our sins. The Bible indicates that we not only have permission to do this but that we can come with confidence, with boldness into the presence of God. In the Old Testament this was not possible except for a very few. Many died by attempting to enter the holiest part of the Temple without permission or without their hearts being in the proper condition. Also only certain people were allowed to carry the Ark of the Covenant (Representing God’s presence.). Many when they tried to carry the Ark or even touch it died because they were not authorized by God to do so. However, while Jesus was on the cross the veil separating us from the Holiest of Holies was rent/torn (Luke 23:45) symbolizing our new privilege of access directly with the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus.

We have such great privilege and position through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are God’s children (John 1:12) and as His children we may always approach Him knowing that it is pleasing to Him when we do so. It is God’s desire that we bring our requests to Him and He is always ready to hear our confession of sin. Thankfully, we do not have to come back the next day because God is never too busy for His children!