Proverbs 28: 13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
In Israel there are several important bodies of water. In the north there is the Sea of Galilea-a living, breathing, healthy, freshwater Sea teeming with life. From it, the Jordan River flows southward to the Dead Sea-a sea well below sea level with a very high salidity of over 30% which inhibits nearly any life from thriving there-hence the name "Dead Sea." Many tourists do flock here to float in it's salty waters for health benefits as well as soak up the hot sun. The Jordan River serves as an outlet for the Galilea. It takes sediment, salt and pollutants and drains them southward. The minerals and deposits wind up in the Dead Sea which has no outlet of it's own so these materials collect and create the conditions we see there today.
Just as the health of the Galilea is dependant upon the Jordan for taking away the pollutants and minerals and crud, we too need to have outlets in our lives to get rid of the junk and garbage that accumulate in our hearts. We sin and because of our sin, guilt and shame build up in our lives. We, like the Sea of Galilea, need to get rid of this junk so we can be healthy. We need to have regular times of confession and repentance to clean our souls.
Dear Lord, help me to admit my sins to others and to continually allow you to wash away the guilt and shame from my life. Amen.
In Israel there are several important bodies of water. In the north there is the Sea of Galilea-a living, breathing, healthy, freshwater Sea teeming with life. From it, the Jordan River flows southward to the Dead Sea-a sea well below sea level with a very high salidity of over 30% which inhibits nearly any life from thriving there-hence the name "Dead Sea." Many tourists do flock here to float in it's salty waters for health benefits as well as soak up the hot sun. The Jordan River serves as an outlet for the Galilea. It takes sediment, salt and pollutants and drains them southward. The minerals and deposits wind up in the Dead Sea which has no outlet of it's own so these materials collect and create the conditions we see there today.
Just as the health of the Galilea is dependant upon the Jordan for taking away the pollutants and minerals and crud, we too need to have outlets in our lives to get rid of the junk and garbage that accumulate in our hearts. We sin and because of our sin, guilt and shame build up in our lives. We, like the Sea of Galilea, need to get rid of this junk so we can be healthy. We need to have regular times of confession and repentance to clean our souls.
Dear Lord, help me to admit my sins to others and to continually allow you to wash away the guilt and shame from my life. Amen.
