A Straight Line

When the first railroad was built in Russia, the Czar wanted train tracks to be laid from Moscow to another city that he enjoyed visiting.

“Where do you want me to lay the tracks?” asked the engineer, unrolling a map before him.

After thinking for a moment, the Czar took a ruler and drew a straight line across the map from Moscow to that particular city and said loudly, “There!”

The Lord has drawn a “straight line.” We find it in His Word. It is a line that begins at our feet, goes through the cross of Jesus, the empty tomb, the risen Christ and ends with Him in heaven. But that line is often difficult to follow. Even for King David.

“I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity,” he wrote. Acknowledging this “sin” must have been difficult for him to confess. Hear his cry, “Day and night Your hand was heavy upon me.” He could find no relief from his guilt and God would not give him any peace. “Day and night your hand was heavy on me.”

When we sin and do not repent and ask God for His forgiveness, we can expect – and be thankful for – His “heavy hand on” us. Sometimes we “feel” His hand when we are emotionally unsettled, going through a period of sickness, or sensing feelings of alienation or anxiety. How fortunate we are – for this is God speaking to us, trying to get our attention because He wants us to “confess our sins” and forgive us. Then He will remove our guilt, restore His peace and renew our relationship with Him.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving us a conscience that forces us to look at the sin in our lives and the opportunity to realign our relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5 

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