O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Psalm 86:5 NLT
Nobody knows me better than myself (nobody besides God, that is). Aside from Him, no one understands the secrets that haunt my heart and the times that I let everyone down…including myself. It is times like those where I catch myself wanting to do the one thing I least need to do. I attempt to back away from God, to hide in shame because I have once again found my character and resolve to be lacking something. Adam and Eve did the same thing when they sinned in the Garden. Instead of running to God, they hid from Him. The verse above reminds us that the greatness of God is not limited to His power, His awesomeness or His strength. We love to talk about those things because they give us great confidence because we know that He can handle anything. But, when I think of God's greatness, I think about how a Holy God can be ready to look at my weakness and still extend his love to me. Does He have to? No. Should He? Perhaps not. But, as the old children's prayer says, "God is great, God is good…" and He is good because He chooses to love and chooses to forgive. Now, what do you and I do about that? Here's a couple of things to think about:
What things in your life do you most keep from others? What "secrets" are you afraid that others might find out about?
How would it feel to know that God forgives all of your secrets, even the worst failures, if you will just trust Him?
What thing do you most need to trust God with today, knowing that He stands "ready to forgive…full of unfailing love?
Is there something you need to confess to God, repent from doing and talk with another about? Make a commitment to take this verse literally today and do whatever it takes to trust God with your "hidden parts" of your heart.