August 8 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 19:12–14

Devotional

Sometimes on the last page of a book there is a list of printing errors. These errors have crept in unawares during the printing process. This is also experienced in the lives of men, even in the lives of children of God. There are sins that slip into our lives which were not confessed and were not lamented because they were secret faults—hidden errors. If the sins that we commit unconsciously were recorded in a book at the end of our lives, an entire library would be filled rather than a page in a book, because our unconfessed sins are countless.

Who can understand the vastness of our errors? The answer to this question is discovered only through the uncovering light of God. Instead of placing a question mark at the end of this question, we could then place an exclamation mark because of the enormity of our secret faults.

We are convinced that it is by the law that knowledge of sin is received. Through the prodding of the law, we search ourselves inside and find that at the bottom of our deceitful heart lies unfathomable filth. We do not have enough fingers on our hands to number our sins. Their number is infinitely higher than the sinner can comprehend. There are so many things of which we later will have to say, “That was sin and that was sin also.”

Besides the sins that can be named, there are many sins that are unrecognized. Just imagine if only the sins that are known to us would be forgiven! Then the sinner would still have to perish because of his unknown sins. If we were able to see as God sees, how differently we would see ourselves, especially in regard to our hidden sins! Let no one say that he is fully uncovered to his sinfulness, because that would be evidence of not having experienced God’s uncovering work.

There are hidden sins and there are sins of which we are not aware. These could be serious sins, but they could also be sins that are covered over with a cloak of piety. The day when all the books will be opened will reveal these sins. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9). The poet of Psalm 19 understood this. That is why he not only needs forgiveness for confessed guilt, but also for unconscious guilt, for unknown sin causes unknown guilt.

Our unknown sins show us that we need a Surety, who with His blood also covers unconfessed and unlamented guilt. This demonstrates that the Savior suffered for many more sins than His people are aware of. That is why the petition, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults,” is so very necessary.

What a humbling lesson this is for those who learn that their fall was much deeper than they ever realized. They learn that they also need a Surety for the sins that they were unaware of having ever committed. This is very humbling for man. It causes him to be afraid of himself and it humbles him deeply. It also makes him realize that the process of recognizing his sins is endless, as long as he continues to have a deceitful heart.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.