Hidden Dirt in Private Places

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if any wicked way is in me; and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139.23-24).

Did I get a shock last night!  I have been sick so my bedroom hasn’t been completely cleaned in a while.  Last night I lost my heart medicine, and as my family and I searched for it they had to move furniture and look in “hidden” places.  I was so shocked to see all the hidden things in my room, things I had dropped, dust, dirt and just junk.

I was so embarrassed as those things were uncovered!  I thought my room was clean.  Now I have a choice to make.  I can ignore all the hidden dirt and junk or I can start to clean up the “hidden” mess.

“Shall not God search this out?  For he knows the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21).

That is the way we are spiritually when God starts to shine His light on the hidden areas of our heart or life.  We see things we didn’t realize were there.  And as my bedroom, we may look and feel good on the outside, but when His Spirit and Word starts showing us these areas it isn’t pleasant; it may even be embarrassing at times.

“I Jehovah search the heart.  I  try the reins, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10).

So what do we do about it?  We have a choice to make.  We can ignore what God is trying to show us or we can start cleaning it up.  We can always find an excuse not to heed God’s leadings, not cleaning these areas.  The enemy of our soul will always try to “talk us out of” obeying God.  Excuses will not keep us from having to answer to God.  The devil lies and is the father of lies.

“For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Last night my physical heart hurt, and as I search for the nitro that would bring relief, I realized that when our “spiritual heart” hurts only the light of God’s love and mercy and His extra strength in these areas can bring relief as we yield these things to Him.  I should have taken care of this hidden dirt before it was uncovered.  (I have been feeling well enough lately to clean my room, but I always found an excuse not to.) 

God will not force us to accept His light.  We can choose to accept or we can continue to ignore the dirt.  However, in ignoring what He is trying to do in our life we may suffer embarrassment; for our heavenly Father always deals in private first; but if we don’t heed, He may allow these to become uncovered.

“I will bear the fury of Jehovah, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and brings out judgment for me.  He will bring me out to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness” (Micah 7:9).

……Faye Coleman

Faye and Her Husband, Rev. Monroe Coleman

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