“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin,” (Psalm 32:3 NIV).
When I was a teenager, my high school was just a few miles from my home. My lunch break was a mere 35 minutes, but I enjoyed driving home and taking a respite from the hustle and bustle of the crowded hallways.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was a sleepy little town with a railroad track that ran down the middle of downtown, dividing it into two counties.
There was a fledgling minor league baseball team that ranked in Sports Illustrated as the worst housing conditions in the league, and a Hardee’s fast-food restaurant on every corner, reminding us that the corporate office for the chain was just down the street. We slept with our windows open, left home with our doors unlocked, and as children we rode our bicycles all over town without a hint of reservation.
But times changed in the late sixties and early seventies. We began to keep our windows closed at night and our doors locked even during the day. Kids stayed much closer to home. At our house, we kept an extra key in the mailbox just inside the doorless garage. The only people who knew it was there were our family and the mailman…or so we thought.
During my high school years when I went home for lunch at 12:10 every day, I simply retrieved the key from the mailbox and then placed it back until I came home again at 3:15.
One day I came home after school at the usual time, used the hidden key, and let myself in. Before grabbing a snack, I made a beeline to the television to turn on my favorite program. When I opened the door, I realized the TV was missing.
I didn’t know anything was wrong with the TV, I thought. Mom must have taken it into the shop for repairs.
I called Mom at her craft store.
“Hello, Bee N’ Beetle. May I help you?”
“Hey, Mom. This is Sharon. Did you take the TV in for repair?”
“No, I didn’t. Why?”
“Well, because it isn’t here.”
“What do you mean, it isn’t there?”
“It’s not here. The cabinet is empty.”
“Is anything else missing?” she asked with a hint of fear in her voice.
“I don’t know. Let me check.”
I didn’t have to look far to see that a few other items were gone. When I came back to the phone to report, my mother said, “Sharon, quick! Get out of there!”
When the police came, we discovered that someone had indeed broken into our house and taken many things. And how did he get in? Why, he used the hidden key!
Apparently, someone had been watching me. He knew I came home at 12:10 and left again at 12:45. He also knew I came home from school around 3:15. So one day between 12:45 and 3:15, he simply took the key from the mailbox, let himself in, and helped himself to our belongings. Then, when he had what he wanted, the thief locked the door behind him and put the key back in the mailbox for “safe keeping.”
That’s exactly what Satan does in our lives. [tweetherder]The devil watches us and knows exactly where that hidden key to our secret places lies[/tweetherder]. Then, at the most opportune time, he unlocks the door to steal our peace and joy. The Bible tells us that Satan is a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Sometimes the hidden parts of our hearts, the ones that we have not given to God, are where Satan wants to sink his teeth. As long as we have that key hidden, Satan can get to it.
There’s only one solution. Don’t hide the key. Give the key to every compartment of your heart to God.
Is God prompting you to give Him the key to a hidden room in your heart today?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I give You the key to my heart—my whole heart. I give You the key to every secret closet, every hidden room, every messy nook and cranny of my life. No longer will I keep those keys to myself but hand them over to You totally and completely to do with what You will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Psalm 32:1-11.
Is there any area of your heart that you have not given to God? A relationship? A past sin that you’re clinging to? A present insecurity? A future worry?
If so, I suggest you hand it over. One of the best ways to do that is to tell someone what you’ve been hanging onto and commit to let it go. (James 5:16a)
If you’re willing to give God the key to every part of your heart, click over to my blog page and leave a comment that says, “I’m handing the key over to God.”
Want More?
Do you love a good story? I do! Stories tug at the heart and open the eyes to the truths of Scripture in a way only God can do. I have complied 100 of my favorite stories and devotions into one book titled, Listening to God Day-by-Day. It is the perfect book for a quick pick-me-up before you start your busy day or a sweet dreams closure before you turn off the bedside lamp at night.
And here’s some good news, this book is specially priced for the month of June. Get one for yourself, and we’ll include another free for you to share. It won’t show up on your receipt, but we’ll make sure it is included in your package.
And if you’d like to learn more about how to give every part of your heart to God, check out my book, Becoming Spiritually Beautiful. In it you’ll learn how to live fully and free!
Comments 57
Lord am handing over all the keys to my life once again. If there’s any that I have in a hidden place, Lord I give it all to you. In regard to my future, My finances, my ministry and calling, my future family.. Take them ALL LORD, I don’t wonna keep them ‘safe’ for my self.
In Jesus name! AMEN
, “I’m handing the key over to God.”
If there is any hidden place in my heart, Lord, I hand it over to you. You know me better than I know myself and I put my faith and trust in You . I give You my past and my future.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN
Just handed my whole keychain over to God!! Thank you Lord Jesus!
Lord i am handing over the keys to my heart all my fears .worries insecurities past hurts .My future and my childrens future i entrust to you
In Jesus name Amen!!!
I’m handing the key over to God.
Lord, I give You the key to my heart. I give You the key to every secret closet, every hidden room, every messy nook and cranny of my life. No longer will I keep those keys to myself but hand them over to You totally and completely to do with what You will. Amen.
Lord God, I know that worry is a sin against You. In the name of Jesus, help me overcome all anxieties and worry and enable me to trust You to provide for every need I have. I’m handing the keys over to you in Jesus Name Amen.
I’m handing over the key to God.
Here’s something I wrote about this exact thing It’s call You are My Shepherd.. Come in:
You are My Shepherd, Come In
I hear a knock
But I just look towards the clock
You knock once more, so I go to the door
I can hear but not see anyone,
so I turn to run
yet You are there
I feel You stare
I stop and hesitate
I can’t ignore You
So I open the door
As I motion for You to enter
I fall to my knees and cry
“It’s you! My Shepherd,”
I want to give You thanks for all you do
But just don’t know how cause all I can say is Wow!
You are here in my house
Not sure if I should have let you in
For I’m not prepared and it’s dirty as a louse
I’m not sure I am the right hostess
I look for a place to hide
Then You reach your hands to me and take mine into yours,
A flood of peace comes over me
I’m ready now My Shepherd
To lead you to the door of my hurts and sins combined
I give You the key and let You do to the room what you need
You waste no time at all as you tear down each wall
I begin to feel free from the sins that cling to me
I’m sure glad I’ve finally let you in
To deal with my terrible sin
“My Shepherd” I say
“Forgive me for taking so long to let you in”
You say no words but continue on
we move to another door,
‘Stop’ I yell
‘Can we not enter this room just yet?’
Not sure if I can do it.
“Oh Shepherd dear”, I ask “grant me the strength I need”
You smile and say “one step at a time dear child”
Jan 31/12
Nancy Beneteau
Beautiful, Nancy. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure Sharon. 🙂
That is beautiful Nancy!!!
Thank you Roshanda. 🙂
God im handing over all the keys to my life once again. In the name of Jesus
I’m handing over the keys of my heart ??? ??? lord..Do with it watever pleases you
Lord I am handling to you the key of every part of my heart….l i surrender everything let your will be done. In Jesus name.
Lord I give you all the keys to my heart.take the key to all the secret places in my heart. Come in lord Jesus and let your light shine in my heart in Jesus name
“I’m handing the key over to God.”
Lord, you know my heart better than I do. I’m handing over the key. Only you can make the changes in me. Help me to give evetything up to you.
I am handing over the key to God,in every area of my life.
Lord, I am handing my key to my heart over to you this morning. {lease come into my heart home today, cleanse it with your divine love and make my heart whole again. Help me to rid my heart of any hurts and forgiveness that I have not been able to let go of so that only you will reign in my heart home from this day forward. When I look within my heart home, I want to be able to only see your love there and be able to open my heart to others to share your love with them, deep from within my heart home.
Thank you, Lord for your loving mercies and blessings. Love you Lord, always and forever!
Amen.
Sharon, thanks for your post again! Your words for today are healing me in many unspoken ways. Thanks again so much for today’s words of wisdom.
Lord I am handing the key over to you today
Father, you know the secret key that I say I have handed over but that I still have a finger on. Please forgive me of my sin and give me the strength to fully give you this key.
I am handing over the key to God!
I’m handing the key over to God.
I’m handing the key over to God today. Father take it from me, I trust you
I am handing over my keys to God!
I’m handing the key over to God! In Jesus name!
I’m handing the key over to God for all parts of my life
I’m handing the key over to you Lord. I trust in you!
“I’m handing the key over to God.”
Sharon, I’m handing over the key to God this morning. Last night I had a dream about a guy I used to know. It was so wierd because I haven’t thought of him in years. I’ve been married for over 34 years, and I don’t want to dream about this guy or anyone else with thoughts of what used to be. I know that this devotional was about that. Thinking about Satan having a key to a small part of my heart that may have been hidden for so long, runs chills down my spine. I’ve given that part of my heart to Him too, now. A little bitty part of my heart that I didn’t even realize I was holding onto. Thanks for this devotion. A close follower of your devotions and of my Lord.
I’m handing the key over to God.
It is amazing that I didn’t know I held so many keys. I’m taking them off my key chain one by one, and placing them in His hand. Then He gets the key chain too! How I pray that I won’t “re-key” the locks!
I’m handing the key over to God.
God, I’m handing the key to every part of my heart to You. Sometimes I don’t even know where I hid the keys, I pray that You help me to find those keys and be willing to give them to You. You are always faithful.
I’m handing the key over to GOD
I am handing over the key(s) to God.
“I’m handing the key over to God.”
I’m handing the key over to GOD.
Lord I am handing over the key to all the hurts that I am feeling right at this very moment. All my love for James I give to you to do as you will. Lord ease the pain from broken promises and failed dreams. Lord I am sorry for disappointing you. For walking in my flesh for an earthly love. Lord I am handing over the key to you, to my broken heart, to my lost joy, to my life. Amen
I’m handing the keys over to
God
Shelley
I’m handing the keys over to God! I Give You control, Father God, to access every area of my heart and to change those areas that need to be changed for Your Glory In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!
Lord I am handing to you the key of every part of my heart….I surrender everything let your will be done. Please help me to remember that I don’t need to be in control because you are always in control. My girl will be just fine…I’m handing her over to your care which is where she has always been in the first place. In Jesus name.
I am handing the keys to over to God!!!!!!
I’m handing the keys over to God!!!!!
My Father in Heaven, I am handing over the keys to God, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
“I’m handing the keys over to God.”
I’m handing the key over to God.
I am handing over the keys to God. I ask God to have His hand in every aspect of my life and my family. Amen
I am handing over the keys to God. As I read your devotion, I started thinking if I had anything hidden from God. I am handing over the master key, to the rooms inside of me that I don’t even remember and to the ones that I reside in right now. Lord thank you for using Sharon to cause us all to lift our eyes to You. Please bless and continue to inspire your daughter daily in Jesus’ name!
I’m handing the key over to God, Amer.
I am handing the key over to God!
Thank you Jesus!
“I’m handing the key over to God.”
I’m handing the key over to God ! Thank you Lord for taking care of me and my family and watching over us. Love you Lord <3
I am handing the key over to God… in Jesus Name. Amen.
I am handing the key over to God!
I am giving the keys of my whole life, my future, my finances, my job and reputation, my career and my skills, my broken divorce Marriage. God I am giving you all my hurts and pain of this life to you, please help me let me live to see my Child grow up get into a University graduate….take good care of us and others who are going through the same situation in life today. Make us feel the great love you have for us and draw us closer to your heart for the glory and honor of your great wonderful name alone Holy God. In Jesus name Amen.
HO, my God today i hand over to you the keys of my whole life,taughts,plans,career,family,aspiration,children,hurts &pains to others&from others.help me forgive&move in your bright light,rediate your devine light through me that others might without doubt see your unseen face.you knew me before i made any meanings in this world,help,guide me and you alone guide all creations on the universe.Help me to live a life that please you,love you and others.