“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NKJV)
ACHAN’S STORY
Joshua 7 tells us the story of Achan, a man who thought his secret sin would stay a secret.
When the children of Israel went up against the city of Jericho, they were instructed to take none of the spoils from the city. Only the silver, gold, brass, and iron could be kept, and that was to be consecrated to the Lord. Keeping anything else was forbidden. But Achan took a garment, 200 shekels silver, and a wedge of gold. (Remember, the silver and gold were God’s.) Achan then dug a hole inside his tent and hid the stolen goods. After all, who would know?
But secrets do not stay buried, and sin has consequences. Unfortunately, those consequences often affect not only the wrongdoer but also those around him. When the men of Israel went up to take the city of Ai, thirty-six of them died in battle. It should never have happened, but God revealed there was sin in the camp. One man’s greed affected everyone and innocent men died. Also, Achan and his entire household were destroyed because of his sin.
DAVID’S STORY
Achan wasn’t the only person in the Bible who attempted to hide his sin. King David, the man anointed by God to follow Saul as king, allowed lust to enter his heart and committed adultery with Bathsheba (II Samuel 11 and 12)). To hide his sin, David had Uriah, her husband and one of his friends, killed in battle. But God sees everything, and David’s sin was revealed. Although he repented, his actions had lasting consequences.
Luke 12:2-3 warns us, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (ESV).
Both Achan and David sinned and attempted to hide their sins. One man lived, and one died. What was the difference?
When we read Achan’s story, we find he confessed his sin when it was revealed. However, nothing indicates any remorse or repentance. When Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin, David confessed his guilt. But with profound sorrow, David also repented for his actions. Although his sins were grievous, he found forgiveness.
David’s prayer in Psalm 51 reveals his deep sorrow as he acknowledged he had sinned against God.
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” ( verse 3 NKJV)
SIN’S CONSEQUENCES
We fool ourselves if we think we can hide our rebellious actions from the Lord. We cannot dig a hole and bury our sins like Achan attempted. Nor can we escape the consequences of those sins. Ecclesiastes 12:14 tells us, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
The problem with sin is that it separates us from God. Our holy God cannot condone our unholy actions.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2, NKJV)
Our story does not need to end like Achan’s. God offers mercy and forgiveness to the repentant heart. Although David committed adultery and had one of his best friends killed, he found a path back to God when he repented. God offers the same mercy to us if we humble ourselves before Him in repentance.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9, ESV)
If you feel weighted down with guilt and shame because of hidden sins in your life, there is hope and forgiveness. Make David’s prayer in Psalm 51 your prayer also. God loves you and desires to restore you.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
