Confession and Trust

Christian, it is not by chance that you have entered into the narrow way, that is, the road that is less traveled. I’m speaking of a heart that is abhorrent towards the inward sin that seeks to captivate your attention daily. It is here the serpent of old, the one who deceived Eve in the time of her innocence, wages his greatest battle against you. His desire is to destroy you, and to render your testimony invalid in the eyes of those who are watching you. He will prey upon the inordinate desires of your flesh by igniting the fallen passions in the members of your decaying body. He does this so you will oppose the decrees of the One Who bore your sins upon the cross so the world will blaspheme His Holy name . The Devil hates The Lord and wants nothing more than to rob the glory that is due to Him through your obedience. So, though the rough winds of temptation assail you from all points, remember, you did not enter into the narrow gate by your own doing, but the Great Shepard, The Lord Jesus Christ, led you that way. It is He who directs you with His Shepherd’s staff; It is He Who walks you through the valley of the shadow of death and it is He who will bring you into His heavenly kingdom which He has prepared for you for the last day.

Micah, the Prophet of God, speaks like a man who was touched by God in His innermost soul. He was called to preach to Israel, God’s chosen nation, calling them to turn from their sin and to turn back to serve God. His message was harsh and he was hated. But in the midst of this trial, he begins to meditate upon the righteousness of God and sees the sin in his own heart. He cries out to God, “I will bear the indignation of the LORD Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, And I will see His righteousness.” In the midst of Micah’s calling, the Devil assaulted him, no doubt seeking to silence the message that was given to Him by the Lord. But it is here that Micah acknowledges his unworthiness, and leans upon the strong arm of God’s imputed righteousness, that would come through a promised Savior he was waiting for. Micah, through his faith in God, did not yield to the fallen passion of the body, but called upon the name of the Lord. So Christian, fight the good fight of faith and submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you, beloved. Cry out in holy prayer, “I have sinned against you, oh Lord, plead my case and execute justice for me. Bring me out to the light, and I will see your righteousness.”