r e p e n t . . .

"You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you."
Psalm 69:5

After Joshua's conquest of Jericho, his military fame spread. He
began his campaign to claim Israel as God had commanded, which meant
wiping out all traces of the Canaanites. But a man named Achan stole
and hid some of the "devoted things" (v.1) of Jericho. This angered
God, so when the Israelites attacked the tiny town of Ai,
"they were routed" (v.4).

Joshua cried out to God, and God told Joshua what to do. The next
day, all of the tribes gathered and lots were cast to determine the
guilty party. It came down to Achan, who confessed.
"Then Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, give glory to the Lord, the
God of Israel, and give Him the praise. Tell me what you have done;
do not hide it from me.' Achan replied, 'It is true! I have sinned
against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done ..."
(Joshua 7:19). According to God's command, Achan and all his
belongings were destroyed.

Have you ever tried to hide a sin from others? Did you think you
could hide it from the all-knowing God? Nothing inspires honesty
like the revelation of deceit. But unlike Achan, through the Cross,
you are free to live honestly before God and others if you repent
and turn from the sin.

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"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according
to your great compassion blot out my transgression. Wash away all my
iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. ... Cleanse me with hyssop, and
I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."
Psalm 51:1-2,7