James 5:20 – Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

The day came when we decided to replace a window in our home. We had someone come in and give us a price on an aluminium-clad window and framing. (No more painting!) The deal was struck, and we were told it would take about three weeks before the window would be ready.

Two weeks later, the installer came, unannounced, and I hadn’t removed the window dressings. In haste, I removed the valance, the drapes, and the sheers.

While the window was being removed and the new one installed, I prepared to launder everything. But when the installer finished, the window was so much better and everything seemed so much brighter, I didn’t want to cover it up with drapes. Instead, I used some mini-blinds we had on hand.

I did put back the 14-inch valance, however, because it hid the drapery tracks that I had hesitated to remove, as I knew it would leave holes in the wall that would have to be filled and painted, and I wasn’t sure we had the matching paint. With the valance in place, when I stood back and looked, I couldn’t see the mess behind.

This is when I thought that, just as I used the valance to cover up a mess, so we often try to cover up our sins, by pretending they don’t exist, or by justifying or rationalizing our behaviour. However, we can’t really cover our sins, for there is no hiding sin from God. On the other hand, God promises us that His forgiveness covers over a multitude of sins when we confess them to Him!

Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, forgive any of us who might attempt to hide our sins from You. Remind us to give thanks that our sin is forgiven and covered by Your grace through Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Anne Russell anbrussell@rogers.com
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca