Lenten Devotional: March 20, 2026

by Rev. Elyse Nielsen

Scripture: Proverbs 28:13 NLT 

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Denying reality, even the ugly reality of sin, is folly. The energy it takes to keep up the charade is exhausting. Denial of sin creates a false reality for the person, but the facade is easily seen through by other people and especially by God. We cannot hide anything from God. Adam and Eve tried to hide in the garden that God created. God created us and knows our inmost being, so there is no hiding or denying sin from Him. Yet, we do this. It seems ridiculous when you think about it. We try to deny what God already knows about us. So embrace the ridiculousness in its entirety. It is ridiculous that Christ turns our sin into forgivenss, our confession into mercy. When we own up to our mistakes, Christ can work with that! The same can be said of friends and co-workers. When we don't pull a "sorry-not- sorry", but offer a genuine apology, true forgiveness and reconciliation is possible. Until then the relationship remains frozen in fakeness.

Where in your life are you faking it? Are you hiding something shameful? Ask God to remove your shame. 

Prayer:

Holy God, help me humble myself and own up to my mistakes. I desire your mercy, forgivenss, and closeness. Remove the guilty stain of sin from me so that I can live fully for you. Amen.