Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.”
When I read and study God’s Word, I will find little references that seem to jump off the pages. I was raised in church and after hearing the Bible taught for many years, I’ve learned the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit as He points out something He wants me to see, it can be like a cup of cool water from which to drink.
The secret things of God is a reference that makes me want to know what those secret things are. Secrecy has always had a certain quality about it that makes you think something is important enough to keep hidden, possibly to be revealed at the right time. I believe the Lord keeps things hidden from us for our own good. Knowledge can be dangerous if left in the wrong hands.
Daniel was gifted with the ability to understand and interpret dreams. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that God had given him, Daniel recognized who it was from and why He had given it.
Daniel 2:29 “As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen.”
What secret was God revealing through this godless King?
It was none other than the future Kingdom of God—ruled over by Jesus Himself.
Why would the Lord entrust such a significant dream to a man as Nebuchadnezzar? Could it be that the earthly kingdom he ruled was only given to him by the Lord and this was a reminder that all kingdoms will eventually culminate into the one true Kingdom of God?
The prophecy given eventually unfolded just as foretold. The iron kingdom that ruled during the time of Christ was controlled by Augustus Caesar. The eternal Kingdom of God was established by Jesus through His church, He founded His Kingdom with a purpose in mind to draw all men unto Himself.
What other secrets is God keeping from the world?
1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Salvation of the Saints
The salvation of God’s people has to be one of the worst kept secrets of all time. For the past 2000+ years, people have been traveling all around the world sharing the message of the good news.
The message of God’s salvation has been foretold through past prophets, revealed through signs and wonders, and administered by God’s people for all to hear. Even though salvation has been proclaimed for thousands of years, the world cannot see it. The saints who have perished for proclaiming their faith have been martyred because the world hates the message of the cross. The understanding they lack today, will be revealed in full in the age to come.
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
How can such knowledge be a revelation in the last days?
Isaiah 66:22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, “so your descendants and your name will endure.”
Those who are held captive by sin lack the ability to perceive truth. Revelation comes by God to His people. Even though the message of the cross has been proclaimed, those who reject the call can’t see the Kingdom of God as it exists all around them. The salvation of God’s people has so much depth, how can they fully comprehend it’s magnitude when we can’t fully comprehend God Himself?
Matthew 13:13 “This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'”
The words Jesus spoke were masked from the world’s eyes because they simply couldn’t receive the depth of knowledge He was giving. The messages Jesus spoke were for His disciples then and for the ones to come.
Psalm 139:6 “O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”
The works of God are such that we simply cannot grasp all of the mysteries kept by Him.
God’s Work
Consider the people, animals, ecosystems, and microscopic abundance that inhabits the earth. The billions of interactions, animals and systems kept in balance while all along managing the rest of the unknown universe—the scope of God’s control is staggering in complexity.
I believe that we know and understand only that which God requires of us. Revelation is given in increments and yet the Lord has given us a measure of control by which we can grow in these endeavors.
Psalm 131:1 “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great matters or things too lofty for me.”
The Lord takes a vested interest in our growth and maturity. The promising hope is that there actually is a plan. We have not been created and then just left to find our way through the maze of life, we have a Father who is guiding each of us as we learn to trust in Him.
Have you ever been shown a truth that seems to come alive in your life? When you do, you have a burning desire to share it with others. The problem is, there are some people who aren’t ready to receive it. They may look on with perplexity as you attempt to explain the joy of your find which might cause a measure of frustration for you.
The truths God reveals are often revealed through obedience.
Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
God’s people are a people of kings and priests before the Lord.
The joy of sharing your insight with someone who needs to hear it, is a revelation of the goodness of God toward us. He inspires you with insight and then allows you share it with someone He has prepared to receive it. It is one of the mysteries of God’s works among His people.
Psalm 40:5 “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Consider the complexity of life as we know it and remember that there is far more that we don’t know. There is a vast complex universe God has been managing for a long time, His plans are on track, and His people are being formed by His hand. Out responsibility is to trust His provision and be faithful to His call.
As you walk in your faith, the Lord will reveal the truth you need to know at the right time, then one day, your ability to understand the mysteries of God will expand into an eternity with Him.
Stay strong…the Lord knows what He is doing, rest in the knowledge of what He has given you today.
U.T. 