Let us bring all this before the mercy-seat, for these audit findings are no mere errors in accounting but outbreaks of that deep-seated corruption which dwells within the heart of man. The overpayments, the undeclared millions, the ineligible disbursements, the gaming of grants, the suspected falsifications, these are sins against the God who seeth in secret and who requireth truth in the inward parts. They are done in the body politic, yet they spring from individual souls that have forgotten the eyes of the Almighty.
It is not enough that such things be discovered and regretted. There is a repentance after a fashion that may be produced by the terror of being found out, a repentance of the flesh which is not the work of the Holy Spirit. The thunders of an Auditor-General’s report, like the hailstones of Revelation, may wring a sorrow from the natural man, but flesh repenting is still flesh, and tendeth to corruption. A sinner may weep and tremble because his fraud is exposed, yet never give glory to the justice of God. But true repentance, that which is “unto life”, says, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” It is a repentance that not only hates the consequence but the sin itself, because it is sin against so holy and gracious a God. It makes a rainbow with tears of grief and glances of hope at the cross of Christ.
Therefore let us pray that this report may be the means of leading many to such repentance. The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance; He doth not drive as a slaveholder, but draweth with the cords of a man. Even this uncovering is a mercy, a call to halt before a greater judgment falls. It is the goodness of God that these things are brought to light now, while space for turning yet remains. O that the parties involved might see in it the hand of a gracious Father, bidding them to make restitution, to amend their ways, and to flee to Christ for pardon.
Preach in thy prayers that repentance and remission of sins are yoked together in Christ’s name. Repentance is not a preparation which a man worketh up in himself; it is the gift of God, and it ever looketh away from self to the finished work of Jesus. Let none think to balance the books of his conscience by mere reformation or the passing of earthly censure. No column of amended figures can cancel the debt of sin. Only the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all unrighteousness. But where there is a godly sorrow that abhorreth the sin because it smites the heart of love divine, there is full and free forgiveness, the heart is broken in pieces, and the pieces belong to the Saviour.
Pray, then, that this sorrow may be practical and lasting. True repentance yields works meet for repentance. It will not let the overpaid millions rest in the treasury of the wrongdoer; it will not leave the false document unconfronted. It will break the images of greed and cut down the groves of deceit in every ministry and board, as Hezekiah’s people did after their own awakening. It endureth as long as faith endureth, and it goeth with a man even to the gates of glory. Pray that the fear of God may so fall upon all who handle public trust that they shall serve with integrity, knowing they serve the Lord Christ. And while thou intercedest for them, examine thine own soul, for repentance is the daily companion of the believer, a sweetness we shall scarce regret to part with even at the gate of pearl.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
