January 25

He Acts on Honest Confession

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’ — Job 33:27-28 BSB

This is a truth gathered from the experience of a man of God, and it is as good as a promise. What the Lord has done and is doing, He will continue to do as long as the world stands. The Lord will receive into His care all who come to Him with sincere confession of their sin; in fact, He is always on the lookout for those who are troubled by their faults.

Can we not affirm the words used here? Have we not sinned—sinned personally so that we can say, “I have sinned”? Sinned willfully, having twisted what is right? Sinned so as to discover that there is no benefit in it, only eternal loss? Let us, then, go to God with this honest confession. He asks no more. We can do no less.

Let us claim His promise in the name of Jesus. He will deliver us from the pit of hell that yawns for us; He will grant us life and light. Why should we despair? Why should we even doubt? The Lord does not mock humble souls. He means what He says. The guilty can be forgiven. Those who deserve punishment can receive a free pardon. Lord, we confess, and we pray You to forgive!