November 11

“But Samuel said–What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” — 1 Sam 15:14

Sin is hard to hide! We may think that we have covered up our disobediences, so that detection shall be impossible; but suddenly something tears away the covering, and they are exposed to the gaze of the world! A man carries on a series of dishonesties through a series of years, and covers them up by expert bookkeeping, thinking he is safe. But some morning he is startled to find that the stolen sheep have been bleating, and the purloined cattle have been lowing, and all the world knows of his thefts and embezzlements.

It is the nature of sheep to bleat, and cattle to low, and they have not sense enough to keep quiet when they are expected to. Indeed, they are almost sure to make a noise and reveal their whereabouts, just when they are depended on to keep perfectly still.

It is the same with sin. It is a poor friend to a man. It professes well when it is offering its solicitations–but when it has been committed, it is a poor confidant. It cannot keep a secret. It is sure at some time to betray the man who depends upon it for prudent silence.

In most of our lives there are some bleating sheep and lowing cattle–faults, evil habits, blemishes of character, tendencies or idiosyncrasies, which tell the story of the imperfectness of our obedience, things which we would not want even our nearest friend to know.