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I can still taste the homemade strawberry jam, frozen in an empty Cool Whip container.

Using spoons as our make-shift chisels, my brother and I hunkered in a corner of the barn to enjoy our bounty. We knew we shouldn’t have stolen the jam from Mom’s freezer, but nothing makes thieves of little boys as quickly as sweets.

Sadly, unlike strawberry fields, strawberry jam doesn’t last forever. So, we planned our end game. After hiding the container in some hay and washing the jam off our faces, we reasoned with each other: “Who could possibly find out?” Answer: Dad. Somehow, it hadn’t occurred to us that at least one of our parents also used the barn. We paid dearly for that jam.

Sin always has consequences. It can take various forms, but ultimately it boils down to unbelief. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites doubted what God had told them. God warned the tribes of Reuben and Gad what would happen if they did not keep their oath to defend their fellow Israelites. Their sin would not go unnoticed. A just and righteous God cannot allow sin to go unpunished.

Despite our best efforts, we cannot keep anything from God. He not only sees our sinful actions but also knows the hidden motivations of our hearts. This knowledge should lead us to two conclusions. First, it should deter us from disobeying God. Our illusions of secrecy dissolve before an all-knowing God. Second, we should confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness. We can’t hide our sin, so we shouldn’t try.

Are you hiding something? Jesus has already paid for it. Confess it to Him and receive His forgiveness.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)