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

The dictionary defines the word secret as “something that is kept from knowledge or view.” It’s not a hard concept to understand. We’ve all kept secrets at one time or another. Sometimes the secrets we keep are quite harmless, whereas at other times the secrets we keep have much darker implications and consequences. Keeping secrets isn’t all that hard when it comes to people. But isn’t it funny how we think we can keep secrets from God?

This is where the words of the Psalmist caught my attention this past week. I know of far too many people who think and act in a manner that they know is inappropriate for a Christian. They’ve kept it a secret from their family, their friends and others close to them. There’s a reason why they’ve kept this thing a secret. For one reason or another, they don’t want to be discovered. Perhaps they feel guilty. Perhaps they would be embarrassed or shamed. Perhaps they have crafted an image that would be tarnished if their “secret” became known. No doubt there are a number of reasons why people keep secrets.

Yet, as it relates to God, the simple truth is that “He knows the secrets of the heart.” There are no secrets from God. He knows our secret actions, thoughts, motivations, desires, struggles, values and failings. He knows it all! There is both comfort and a warning in the simple truth that there are no secrets from God.

I am comforted to know that God is intimately familiar with the struggles of my life. He knows my fears, shortcomings, inadequacies, discouragement and faults. I am blessed to know that God knows me better than I know myself. But there is also a warning inherent in the Psalmist’s words. We dare not think that we can keep our sins a secret from God.

Job wrote; “For his eyes are on the ways of a man and he sees all his steps. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.” The prophet Jeremiah put it this way: “’Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord.”

Do you find yourself trying to keep something secret? Further, who do you think you are keeping your secret from? If you assume that you are keeping something secret from God, think again! Please consider this; there is health and healing when we keep no secrets whatsoever, not from men and not from God. There may be something you need to speak to another person, letting go of your secret. Further, there may be something you need to say to God, voicing your desire to no longer seek to be secretive before him. Whichever is the case, would you consider bringing all things into the open for God’s glory and for your good? You will be blessed as you do so.