If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:20-21
Sometimes I wonder if anybody can keep a secret. That thought went through my mind last week when the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) released hundreds of once top-secret documents. Those pages, taken from twenty-five years of their history, told of how the organization spied on people in the United States, got involved with kidnappings, attempted assassinations, and hired the mafia to poison Cuba’s President Castro. Things that were supposed to be state secrets were now part of the public record open for any and everyone to read.
People can’t keep secrets. “Deep Throat” revealed the secrets of Nixon’s Watergate break-in. Monica Lewinsky revealed President Clinton’s secrets. Anyone who knew her seems ready to talk about the secret life and thoughts of Princess Diana, and we’re all overwhelmed as the media force-feeds us information concerning the secrets of the young trendsetters like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Lindsey Lohan.
Even though it seems nobody can keep a secret, that doesn’t mean we don’t try to prevent parts of our lives from being scrutinized. That’s understandable. We should be ashamed of our sinful natures. Since first-time sinners Adam and Eve were conscience-convicted of wrongdoing, humanity has been trying to keep their sins secret. It’s why we continue to try and hide ourselves from the Lord.
Now, it may be theoretically possible to fool all of the people all of the time and convince them we’re pretty good folks, but the omniscient Lord knows better. The 44th Psalm is very clear when it says, “He (the Lord) knows the secrets of our hearts.” God knows the darkness and doubt, and the sin and sorrow that reside within us. He knows of and wishes to free us from the condemnation and damnation our sins have deserved. The Father sent His Son into this world so we might be forgiven. The Savior lived, died, and rose so that we might be saved.
Because God has seen us, loved us, and redeemed us, our secret sins are set aside and forgiven. Because the Holy Spirit has given us faith in the Savior, we will be able to stand before our Divine King on Judgment Day and hear Him declare us innocent.
THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, You know the secrets of my heart. For the sake of Jesus, I ask that You forgive me, restore me, and enable me to live a life of thanksgiving and praise for Your gracious goodness. In the Savior’s Name I ask it, Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 21-22 Acts 14
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