Purpose for Secrets

Scripture:  (Ps. 91:1-4 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare and of the fowler; And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

I believe I am not the only one with a secret or two. My secrets can often paralyze me, and I begin to believe that my witness is of no affect at all. Some of what I refer to as secrets are not even secrets because no one else knows, but they are secrets as no one is aware of how much an event or events (that may have occurred long ago) still “haunt” me. Well, I understand that those events are used by the enemy to take away from any ministry or testimony I have, and cripple me. Then I also understand that those events are used by God to bring me to my knees (in prayer always and humbled). My point is, to help us overcome those secrets -- or those thoughts which can be used to inactivate us in our ministry, our stewardship (render us powerless) to the Lord.

The revelation which struck me mightily is that, guess what: “God knows it all”. This is no revelation to many, but when you’re low, this great truth can cause you to rise and take notice of who God is and all He has done for us. Many scriptures and hymns, in my adult life, have come alive and more meaningful. Such scriptures as, (where sin abounds, grace much more abounds (Rom 5:20); God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud (Jas 4:6); …that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (I Tim 1:15); also the hymns: “Farther along we’ll know all about it; Farther along we’ll understand why”; and “You are my hiding place; You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance whenever I am afraid.”

Oh God, It’s just that simple. No, You don’t want to rid us of the thoughts of shame, for You want us to live, overcome, be triumphant despite them -- all for people to see that You are Able!! That’s our deliverance (we have already pled I John 1:9) for we have been delivered; we are delivered; and we will be delivered. Pastor reminded us during a Bible study, successes are good, but our failures have a place in winning some or comforting some, as well. Hey saints, let us resolve to the fact, we will never be able to control others in what they may do (we are guilty, as well): The gossip, the hating, the jealousy, the envy, that some bear against us will exist, but with God’s Word (His strength, His protection, His provision, His promises), we can live and have the impact God desires. Know that He has some fences in place (to keep us safe), things that keep us humble, and close to Him. God knows that He can count on us (those of us with crippling secrets and events) for praise and open hand and arm worship because of Who He is and all He has done!!

Prayer:  Lord, with all I have and hope to be, I bless You! I realize that You want all of me to glorify You (my secrets, too); and You know all that it will take to do this. So Lord, I pray that You continue to use my walk in Your deliverance for Your glory and honor. And I will set my affections on those things above and not on things on this earth. For You are greater than all I can ever think. And that is why I can choose to live and not die, despite all of my guilt and shame. Hallelujah!! In Jesus’ Name-Amen!!

(by Lisa Williams)