Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
—Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
Most of us find it very difficult to share the innermost secrets of our hearts with anyone. We want to keep our secret failings, worst embarrassments, and hidden sins unknown to those who know us. We fear others might reject us if they know, or think we are evil or hypocritical. We worry that we could disgrace ourselves and our families if anyone knew the secret sludge in our hearts. The truth is clear, however: Hidden sin is hidden from us only through self-delusion. It is not hidden from our Father. Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a wedge between us and the God who would forgive and empower us to triumph over these things. Sooner or later, the sins we have tried to keep hidden rise to the surface and become known. If only we would pour out our hearts to God, asking for his forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:8-9). When we pour our hearts out to our Father in heaven, we no longer fear him. We trust him with our secrets. We accept that he will forgive and cleanse. So then, God does not become our fear, but our refuge and source of acceptance and strength!
Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess several things on my heart. Please forgive them and cleanse me as I confess them. (Confess your specific secret sins to God by name right now.) Holy God, I have sinned and ask your forgiveness and cleansing because I know that Satan uses my secrets to diminish my allegiance to you, O God. You alone are my refuge and strength. I place these confessions in your hands and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit, as you forgive and cleanse me, so that I do not fall into these same traps again and again. In Jesus' name, I confess and pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Most of us find it very difficult to share the innermost secrets of our hearts with anyone. We want to keep our secret failings, worst embarrassments, and hidden sins unknown to those who know us. We fear others might reject us if they know, or think we are evil or hypocritical. We worry that we could disgrace ourselves and our families if anyone knew the secret sludge in our hearts. The truth is clear, however: Hidden sin is hidden from us only through self-delusion. It is not hidden from our Father. Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a wedge between us and the God who would forgive and empower us to triumph over these things. Sooner or later, the sins we have tried to keep hidden rise to the surface and become known. If only we would pour out our hearts to God, asking for his forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:8-9). When we pour our hearts out to our Father in heaven, we no longer fear him. We trust him with our secrets. We accept that he will forgive and cleanse. So then, God does not become our fear, but our refuge and source of acceptance and strength!
My Prayer...
Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess several things on my heart. Please forgive them and cleanse me as I confess them. (Confess your specific secret sins to God by name right now.) Holy God, I have sinned and ask your forgiveness and cleansing because I know that Satan uses my secrets to diminish my allegiance to you, O God. You alone are my refuge and strength. I place these confessions in your hands and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit, as you forgive and cleanse me, so that I do not fall into these same traps again and again. In Jesus' name, I confess and pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
