NOVEMBER 21, Proverbs 28:13

The numbers on the watch glowed eerily in the darkness. Dylan sighed. “Why did I steal it?” he wondered. Dylan had seen the watch at a department store. He wanted it so much that he slipped it into his pocket. “I can’t wear this”, he thought, “Mom and Dad will notice, and how would I explain it? I sure hope nobody saw me take it.” Dylan tossed and turned all night, and the next morning, he was worn out from exhaustion and guilt. “Maybe things will seem better today, he thought.”

During lunch time, Dylan noticed several teachers talking quietly together, and one seemed to glance in his direction. In fact, it seemed like everybody was looking at him suspiciously. “Who saw me take it?” he wondered.

That night, Dylan heard footsteps in the hallway. “Who’s there?” he whispered hoarsely. “What do you want?” Dylan’s father appeared in the doorway. “I just got up for a drink of water, son,” said Dad. “Is anything wrong?” “It’s in my top drawer,” Dylan sobbed. “Go ahead and take it.”

Puzzled, Dylan’s father turned on the light and opened the drawer. He gave a low whistle as he held up the watch. “Judging from what you said just now, I assume you didn’t get this honestly, did you?” Dad asked. Dylan poured out the whole story, ending with his impression that everybody seemed to know what he had done.

Dad nodded. “Someone did see you take that watch,” he said. “He’s been bothering you about it.”

“But who, Dad?” asked Dylan. “God saw you,” replied Dad. “When the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, they often feel like someone is after them. They have no rest until they stop running from God and do the right thing.”

“I… I need to take it back, don’t I?” Dylan asked through tears. Dad nodded. “And what else do you think you should do?” he asked. Dylan thought a moment. “Confess it – to the store people and to God,” he said. So Dylan got on his knees and prayed for God’s forgiveness and promised to take the watch back the very next day and accept the consequences of his sin. After Dad left, Dylan finally slipped into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Thought: Is there a secret sin in your heart?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I need forgiveness for the many sins in my life. And if there is any secret sin hiding somewhere, please show it to me and I’d confess and be right with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.