The story is told of little Johnny who, when visiting his grandparents, went to the woods to target practice with his new slingshot—with little success. Returning to the house for lunch, he spied Grandma’s pet duck and on a sudden impulse, let fly with the slingshot. The duck, hit squarely in the head, dropped dead. Johnny was shocked and frightened.
Trying to cover his deed, he hid Grandma’s dead pet in the woodpile. Finishing, he looked up to see his sister Sally watching. Without a word, she turned and walked away. But after lunch, when Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes,” she answered, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help.” Then she leaned next to her little brother and whispered, “Remember the duck.” Johnny did the dishes.
Later, Grandpa decided to take the kids fishing at the pond. But Grandma said, “I’m sorry, Sally, but you need to help me make supper.” Sally again replied, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help.” And again she whispered to her brother, “Remember the duck.” Johnny stayed to help—Sally went fishing.
This went on for several days until finally Johnny, tired and frustrated with doing his sister’s chores as well as his own, came to his Grandma and confessed what he had done.
Grandma knelt down and hugged her sobbing grandson. “I knew you did it, sweetheart. I was standing at the kitchen window and saw the whole thing. I also knew you didn’t mean to hurt my duck and I forgave you. But I was just waiting to see how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”
This little parable provides an excellent illustration of Proverbs 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13), “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” The only way to prosper in our Christian life is to keep short accounts—to be ever ready to confess our sins, enjoying the sweet assurance of His forgiveness.
Adam and Eve were the first to experience the sorrow of trying to cover their sin. They found no joy hiding from their Creator among the trees of the garden, covered with the fig leaves they had sewed together. Yet, when all was brought into the open, God graciously made provision for them. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Gen. 3:2121Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)).
Achan, too, sought to cover his sin. The results for him and his family were tragic and solemn (Joshua 7)! How good it would have been if he had immediately confessed what he had done. Surely there would have been mercy for him and his family.
David also, a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:1414But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. (1 Samuel 13:14); Acts 13:2222And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)), went to much effort trying to hide his sin with Bathsheba—all to no avail. Only when he made confession—“Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight”—was he restored to fellowship with the Lord (Psa. 513Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. (Psalm 52:3)).
Let’s not try to hide our failures. Rather, like the prodigal in Luke 15, may we run quickly to our loving God saying, “Father, I have sinned.”
Y. P. Forum (adapted)