As I do my daily Bible reading, often, a passage comes alive, or a thought blazes across my mind.
Today, it is:
Deut 29:29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.
What a different translation than what is commonly heard!
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Typically, in a time of death or tragedy, when people are shattered, confused, broken and in need of comfort, this verse is preached as we, as ministers seek to invoke the comfort of Holy Spirit in a time of loss.
Truly, God has secrets, but I have discovered, that when I seek him and ask Him for understanding on why perhaps, a person died when I prayed for their healing, He has often showed me exactly what happened, and my faith remains intact.
I have also learned that if God shows us the secret and precious reasons for a tragedy, or motives of a person’s heart, we are on Holy Ground, and required of Him to keep His secrets, if we want to be true to Him. He will speak, but often, it is for us alone, not for public broadcast or anther sermon.
Jesus has promised that He would explain to us what happened:
For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Sometimes, we wish He didn’t. I remember one time a guy at church died of a heart attack, who worked with children. We loved him and visited him in the hospital, and prayed for his healing. Then, he died. So I asked God why? He showed me the despair, lonliness, and hopelessness of that man’s heart, how he gave up, and went home rather than fight through to receive the love, affirmation, comfort, and grace that only Jesus offers. Heartbreaking stuff, but truth nonetheless.
Or another man God warned me about who was a school teacher. Seemed like a great guy, until he was arrested for using child porn and having it in his desk in a school classroom. God will reveal truth if we ask, but its not always comfortable.
For my own edification, I read these verses on God’s secrets. May Holy Spirit open these to your understanding today, as you read:
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
“Do you hear the secret counsel of God, And limit wisdom to yourself?
The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
“I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.
on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
Let’s Pray:
‘Father, reveal to me Your secrets. The secrets of people’s hearts around me, the secrets of Your plans and calling. The secrets of wisdom on how to conduct myself, the secrets of where and how to receive Your wealth and provision. I ask, knowing I am heard and answered, in Your name Lord Jesus. Amen’