“Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight—that You might be justified when You speak and be clear when You judge.”
Psalm 51:4
It matters not what they are; they all wound His Holy Heart.
Sin.
We know it’s “missing the mark” and “falling short of God’s Glory” (Rom. 3:23). We also know its “wages” (Rom. 6:23a) and continuing residual effect. Yet, such knowledge does little to bring true repentance UNTIL today’s Manna becomes real for us: “Against YOU and YOU ONLY have I sinned and done this evil in YOUR sight.”
So often we categorize sins, calling some “big” sins while trivializing others and labeling them “little” sins. But, the fact remains that ALL sin is sin—and all sins are AGAINST God.
“But, how can this be?” someone asks.
“My sin was against _____________, not God, and I’ve tried to make amends with him/her by asking forgiveness and promising to not do it again.”
Yet, dear Pilgrim, again, EVERY sin is against God.
It matters not whether it’s an unkind word or unloving deed. It still grieves His Holy Spirit. It matters not whether it’s stealing or adultery; He’s still there, witnessing the whole thing, and weeping over our wayward ways and the damage it does.
And, it’s only when we realize this and openly acknowledge it that we’ll feel “He’s justified when He speaks and clear when He judges.” Otherwise, we’ll view His convicting us of our transgressions as oppressive and His subsequent “chastening” (punishment, correction) as unjust or excessive.
That’s why our remembrance of today’s Manna should be a deterrent to sin—for we realize He’s always there. . .watching everything we do and listening to everything we say. . . “groaning in His Spirit” (Jn. 11:33, 38) over our unbelief and our casual, callused trodding of Jesus’ Blood under our feet.
And, it’s this remembrance that moves us to go to Him—the real Offended Party—and ask for His forgiveness, which He’s so ready and willing to give when we come to Him in simple faith, confession and repentance in Jesus’ Name.
Why not spend a few minutes right now allowing His Holy Spirit to “search your heart and mind so He can see (and reveal) any wicked way in you” (Ps. 139:23-24)? It may be an attitude problem or continual, sinful action that’s grieving Him; but, by confessing and repenting of it, He’ll then free you from it and “restore unto you the joy of His Salvation” (Ps. 51:12). Hallelujah!!
