Secrets!

The ABC TV show “20/20” recently (March 3, 2006) aired a program on “SECRETS.” One of the individuals featured on the program had held a secret that had haunted them for years and though they were now facing up to the consequences of their past actions, there was a great sense of relief to be no longer bearing their secret alone. Sometimes holding a secret within can be worse than accepting the consequences of having it known. Depression sets in. Life is robbed of joy under the dark cloud of secrecy. And the burden just gets heavier and heavier the longer it is held.

Though some secrets may be fine to hold either personally or between a few individuals, there are some that can literally eat people alive. Perhaps that is what David experienced until he was ready to confess his sin. He described feelings of sorrow, sighing, failing strength, and bones wasting away. ( Psalm 31:10) David also referred to the heaviness of God’s hand upon him day and night. ( Psalm 32:3-4) It appears he experienced inescapable torment until he was willing to acknowledge his sin, uncovering his iniquity, and accept the forgiveness of God. ( Psalm 32:5) No wonder it has been said that confession is good for the soul.

One of the things we need to keep in mind is that the SECRET PLACE within is no secret to our God. Neither is it to our Lord Who declared to the church at Thyatira His ability to search the mind and heart and give what each deserves. ( Revelation 2:23)

As David petitioned God for mercy, he acknowledge what God desires to find within us.
“Behold, you DELIGHT IN TRUTH IN THE INWARD BEING, and you teach me WISDOM IN THE SECRET HEART.” ( Psalm 51:6 ESV)

What is stored away in the SECRET PLACE out of sight of others remains in full view of the God Who can call us to account, but Who also has the desire to help us deal with it. He can help bring about within us what He delights to see; “truth in the INWARD BEING” and His “wisdom in the SECRET HEART.” God can re-create within us a clean heart ( Psalm 51:10) and therefore restore to us the joy of salvation. ( Psalm 51:12) As David accepted this blessing from God, rather than being in a position of trying to hide his sin, God became his “hiding place” to preserve him from trouble. ( Psalm 32:7)

There are people who might coax us to do something or go along with something with the encouragement that nobody will know. Let us never buy that lie! It will most often turn out to be more costly than we can imagine. The truth of the matter is that the other person will know, we will know, and -- above all -- God will know! May we continually seek a direction in life associated with God that will allow us to retain the joy of our salvation. Seeking to please Him in all things is truly good for the soul.

Have a great day KNOWING THE BLESSING OF LIVING IN GOD’S SIGHT!
Carl

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