Twin Peaks

August 30

Happy Thursday Everyone,

The scripture for today is Psalms 19:12

Psalms 19:12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

To trust the inclinations of one's own mind is one of the greatest follies of mankind. Not only is the human heart inclined toward deceiving others, it is inclined toward deceiving itself. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 The only one who can know it truly is God. "I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:10 The deceptions of the heart are not hidden to God. Not only does He see all things, He knows the motivations behind the behaviors. It is therefore important for us to approach God knowing that we may not understand all of the errors of our ways. When we think we are standing, things may be going on under the surface that belies the outward appearance. God sends His word to shine His light on the things that are hidden. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder 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  Being changed by His word is accomplished only when the heart is truly surrendered.  

A heart that is surrendered to Christ is the only safe heart to have. It is not dependent upon itself, it is dependent upon God. A heart that is dependent upon God is not a heart that is without fault; rather it is a heart that does not try to conceal its faults from God. In his commentary, Adam Clarke gives a description of secret faults: "Cleanse thou me from secret faults - From those which I have committed, and have forgotten; from those for which I have not repented; from those which have been committed in my heart, but have not been brought to act in my life; from those which I have committed without knowing that they were sins, sins of ignorance; and from those which I have committed in private, for which I should blush and be confounded were they to be made public." Adam Clarke  "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance." Psalms 90:8 A surrendered heart wants all of its thoughts and behaviors to receive the light of God's countenance. It is that light that brings forgiveness and healing. A heart that is openly exposed to the light of God is a heart that is continuously receiving forgiveness and healing. He will cleanse us from secret faults and direct our paths with the light of His Word.  

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim