“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty, 7 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged. 8 But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him. 9 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. 10 And every man’s holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest shall be his.’ ”” Numbers 5:5-10 NKJV
Father and Lord of all,
There is an old Scottish saying that confession is good for the soul. I suspect it came from reading scripture. Here at the beginning of their journey the children of Israel are told to confess. God, Yu know that living as a community in tents, travelling together and learning to trust and obey You would cause all sorts of unfaithfulness.
So many rules and laws. So You tell Your people at the outset, if You slip up come and confess and make restitution. That way the heart is cleansed from guilt, well being can be restored along with peace. Seems simple enough.
Why then do I sometimes hope no one finds out and it can go unnoticed. As a child I would often hope I would get away with things. Why is it so difficult sometimes and confess it was me. I said I would do that and forgot. I broke that, I didn’t mean to I am sorry. James suggests we confess our sins to one another (James 5:16). Sometimes it is good to be accountable to another person if we are struggling but how careful we need to be with whom we trust and still bring it all to You!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And sometimes we too can make restitution in some way. But it is You that takes away the guilt and restores peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 11th February 2026
The first time I heard this a young lady sung it unaccompanied in a meeting. And it brought silence a holy silence which I have never forgotten. Intimate and yet active.
Unsure of her relationship with Christ, Charlotte penned words of assurance about Jesus loving her “just as I am” and never looked back. William B Bradbury composed music for her lyrics and published the song in 1849. The hymn was translated into many languages, with tens of thousands of people committing their lives to Christ during the playing of it. Many at Billy Graham’s evangelistic rallies.
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Lyrics: Charlotte Elliott