I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord;” and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.

- Psalm 32:5

Each year on Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, the Israelites offered up a sacrifice to cover the sins of which they were unaware and had not confessed during the year. This was the Lord’s instruction to them in the Torah because He knew they were not fully aware of all their sin. It is called Yom Kippur, coming from the Hebrew word “kafar”, meaning covering. In the New Testament the principle of Yom Kippur is available to every believer every day and not just one day of the year. We read in Scripture, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we confess the sins that we are aware of, in His faithfulness to us He even forgives us of those sins that we are unaware of. What a joy for us to know that through Christ our sins are covered, and He remembers them no more. Be encouraged!

References: Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9