“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

If I asked you did you hear about the recent cover up I am willing to guess many of you would say, “Which one?” Unfortunately we live in a society where cover ups are common place. We live in a society where all too often it is rare to find a man as honest as David. David said that he “did not cover up my iniquity.”

We find cover ups in business, politics, sports, church, and families. The intent of cover ups is to conceal the truth whether it is concerning steroid use, embezzlement, evidence of a crime or sin, or simply disobeying your parents.

A certain youth took advantage of his parents being away for the weekend and held a party for his friends while they were gone. When the parents returned they were totally unaware that a party took place because their son did an excellent job in covering up.  All the evidence was disposed.

The question I wrestle with is why are cover ups so common?

I have two theories. The first is that there is a prevalent attitude today that it is ok to disobey your parent, to commit a crime, to participate in sin as long as you don’t get caught and no one gets hurt.

The second theory is that we are not forgiving. The truth is we will use this as fodder for future arguments. Isn’t this what the tabloids are all about? Isn’t this what all the entertainment shows on TV are all about? Isn’t this what the photographers are all about? They are attempting to uncover some compromising evidence or get pictures of celebrities uncovered to broadcast worldwide.

Even though we are ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’ I doubt very much that any one of us would be comfortable confessing their sins to each other. We would be afraid what others would think. We would be afraid we would be judged, even though we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. We would be afraid that we would not be forgiven even though not to forgive is to burn the bridge we all have to walk over.

The good news is God does forgive. It doesn’t matter how great your sin may be, God does for you and me what He did for David.

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit there is
no deceit.”

You and I don’t need to cover up our sins. God will cover our sins. God’s covering of our sins is very different than you and I covering up our sin. God covers our sins with His forgiving grace. David absolutely believed God would cover his sins because David said,

“I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”
 – and You [God] forgave the guilt of my sin.”

If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, you may have a fresh start any moment you choose.  All it takes is for you and me to confess our sins.

Have you stopped to think exactly what it is you are doing when you confess your sins?

First we agree with God that a certain action, thought, attitude, or behavior, is wrong. That God is right to declare it a sin. Second we are expressing our intention to abandon that sin in order to follow God more faithfully.

Abandon is the key. Unfortunately as verse 9 indicates we are too stubborn to obey God, to accept His advice and guidance.

“Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and
bridle or they will not come to you.”

There are several reasons we have difficulty with confession. One, we claim to be a victim. We refuse to accept responsibility for our actions. It is always the other guy's fault. If I buy a cup of hot coffee and put it between my legs while I am driving and get burned it is not my fault. It is the stores fault for making the hot coffee I ordered too hot. This is no different than Adam and Eve. Adam claimed he was a victim of Eve’s temptation. Eve claimed she was victim of satan’s lie. Either one of them could have said, NO!

Another reason is that we also claim to be nice that we are a lot better than other people. That might work for you but it does not work with God. God doesn't judge one person against another. He doesn’t grade on a curve. Let’s stop comparing ourselves with others and start comparing ourselves with the holy God. We are called to be imitators of Christ, not the neighbor.

The gospel lesson reveals that during Jesus’ testing in the wilderness He revealed Himself as the Son of God because He did not give into the temptation. During your times of testing what do you reveal about yourself? Do you reveal yourself as a Child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ?

The areas Jesus was tempted with are no different than the areas you and I are tested: physical needs and desires; possession and power; and pride.

When Jesus was offered the suggestion by the devil to satisfy his physical hunger by turning the very stones before him into a banquet table Jesus refused to relieve His physical hunger, choosing to do the will of His Father.

When Jesus was offered a short cut to glory by throwing Himself off the high point of the temple and allow the angels to catch, which would have revealed to the entire world in an instant who He was. Jesus chose the long route of suffering and death that His Father had prepared for Him.

When the devil had the audacity to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the earth on his terms, as if he were the rightful lord over them all Jesus again refused to obtain the crown without enduring the cross.

There will be times when we will give into temptation. When that happens be honest with yourself and with God. Confess your sins.

Confession results not in a cover up but a covering of your sins by the forgiving grace of God, which will enable you to

"Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

I am sure everybody knows what this Friday is. In case you forgot Friday is the day pitcher and catchers report to spring training. Why do I bring up spring training? Because Lent is our spring training. It is the season of the church year when more emphasis is placed on confession and repentance. It is about getting into shape spiritually. Getting into spiritual shape is not a luxury but a necessity. Athletes and musicians, at least good ones understand to remain good you need regular discipline and practice. The great pianist Horowitz said, “If I skip practice one day, I know it. If I skip practice two days, the critics know it. If I skip practice three days, everybody knows it.

Don’t skip the spiritual discipline of confession. If you are wrong don’t cover it up. Admit it so God can cover you with His grace and you can Rejoice in the Lord and be glad.