# 416 Fess Up Or Try To Make Excuses

The Book of Genesis

Day 416

Ge 44:14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.  15 And Joseph said to them, "What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?"  16 Then Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found."  17 But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father."

Caught with Joseph’s silver cup planted in the sack of Benjamin, the brother’s return to the house of Joseph. It is interesting to note their defense. “God has found out our iniquity.” How pleasant those words must’ve sounded to Joseph. His brothers are finally experiencing conviction over their past sins.

I mean they could’ve said something like this, “We did not take that cup, someone must’ve planted it in Benjamin’s sack just like the last time when our money was put back in our sacks.” Have you checked with your servant? Are you sure he’s not the guilty party?” Look, last time we brought the money back, and even now we have hurried to bring the cup back.” We are not guilty!”

Pretty good defense wouldn’t you say?

But all Judah can say is, “God has found out the iniquity of your servants.” What Judah is saying here is that God caused this to happen in order for Judah and his brothers to finally fess up to their iniquity of selling Joseph into slavery and lying to their father.

It’s like David’s sin with Bathsheba. After Nathan confronted him, he too had to confess that “God had found out his iniquity,” And David said, “Against You God, You only have I sinned.” Judah’s statement here is admitting the same thing..

So, how are you doing with your uncovered and secret sins? Let’s stop kidding ourselves. God has found out all our iniquity. Lu 8:17 says,  "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”

On the Day of revealing, will we ramble on before God with excuses and justifications for our actions? Will we list off all our good deeds, trying to tilt the scales of justice in our favor? I’m afraid that will be the futile lot of many! It’s futile because God’s Word makes it clear there is only one way to be cleaned of sin. Only one way to erase all our iniquity, our sins must be covered by the blood of Jesus, and they are covered the minute we bow the knee to Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord.

Have you done that?  Have you admitted to God that you are guilty and have you then, by faith, received Jesus into your heart?  If not, right now, right where you are at, accept His gift and receive eternal life.

Or, you can wait until judgment Day and make your defense. After all when you think of the price God paid for your sins, I’m sure he’ll listen to your arguments and make an exception for you.

My friend, as we get ready to head into the Lenten season….ponder the cross, and throw yourself on God’s loving mercy today!