Timmy couldn’t wait! He was going to play his favorite Bible game with his two older brothers. This was not like running a race with them or playing ball! They always beat him in those games, because they had longer arms and legs. This game was different; you didn’t need long arms or legs to win. All you had to do was flick a spinner with your finger, and the number the arrow pointed to when it stopped (1 to 12) told you how many moves on the board you could take toward “The Promised Land.”
Steve and David took their turns first, and both of them got a high number. This bothered Timmy some. But now it was his turn, and he was going to flick that spinner as hard as he could. He felt sure a hard flick would give him a good number.
Round and round the spinner went, gradually slowing down past the 3, 4, 5 ... until it crept slowly toward the 11. Timmy’s eyes were wide with anticipation. He might even get the12! Instead, very weakly it passed the 12 ... and stopped at number 1.
What a letdown. It was hard for Timmy to look up at his brothers for fear that they might laugh at him. But when he did, he discovered that something happening in the family just then had taken their attention entirely away from the game. They had not even seen him take his turn! It was then that a wrong thought came into Timmy’s mind.
Now we all know about temptations like that, don’t we? But we are still responsible to turn away from them and do the right thing. However, Timmy had to make a quick decision, and this time it was the wrong one! He would quickly take his turn over again, and they would never know the difference. When we act in a hurry though, we often forget that God is ALWAYS watching. “Thou God seest me” (Genesis 16:13). Besides, what Timmy did not realize was that his mother was also watching.
As he hoped, Timmy’s dishonest turn gave him 11 moves. Excitedly he drew a card from the pile on the table that would give him further directions. He read it over to himself. Suddenly his face changed from an expression of glee to one of deep concern. Would you like to know why? Here is what the card said: “Israel hath sinned; go back to Rephidim!”
Do you suppose that just “happened”? No way! A very kind and loving God up in heaven had that very card EXACTLY placed to defeat Satan in his attempt to begin a serious practice of sin in young Timmy’s life. You know, if we sin once and do not confess it, it becomes much easier to sin the second and third and fourth times, until soon our hearts get used to it and we don’t even think it’s so bad. For this reason, God usually makes sure we get “caught” early. His Word, the Bible, says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
But there is a bright side to this story. God says, “Whoso confesseth AND forsaketh them [his sins] shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). And that is what Timmy did. He was so impressed with the fact that God had not only seen what he did, but also had seen right into his heart, that he told his whole family what had happened. Timmy lost the game that day, but he came away with a clear conscience and was kept from falling into the devil’s trap.
Is there something in your heart and life that you have not confessed? God has already forgiven all the sins of those who believe that Christ paid for their sins on the cross. But in order to have happy fellowship with Him (and with our parents), we must confess daily whatever sin we have allowed to come between us and God. Some things we only have to confess to God, but when they are against others, we must confess to them also—and even sometimes repay them. It’s very hard to do but SO worth it! Would you trade a happy, victorious life for being miserable with one sin that will only lead to many more? God wants us to be able to look everyone in the eye with a good conscience so that He can bless us and make us a blessing to many others.
There are many other people also reading this story who know how hard it is to confess wrong-doing. They are praying for you to follow through. The moment you do, you can join them in prayer for others who are still struggling. Remember, God is able to deliver you from Satan’s trap just as He did Timmy. Confessing that sin is the key to freedom. Why not act now? God will be happy and so will you!
MEMORY VERSE: “Thou God seest me.” (Genesis 16:13)
ML-12/21/2014