Dear Ones:
A secret is something that is hidden, unknown, kept privately in the heart and mind. With regard to men, we think it may be great or small, good or bad, long-lasting or short-term. But if we enter the realm of the eternal, and we consider the “secret of the Lord,” (Ps. 25:14), the magnitude and eternal ramifications of the thing hidden can be “beyond what we could ask or think,” or which can be expressed in what the Lord told Habakkuk: “…I will work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” (Hab. 1:5)
Let’s get a little more close to home with regard to “the secret of the Lord.” In Psalm 25:14, we read: “…The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.” That which is in the mind and heart of God, hidden from the eyes and understanding of men, God does reveal. But He reveals it to a certain kind of person, one who “fears” Him. What does this mean? It means first that the believer has a right concept of God, not an idolatrous, twisted, and false concept. When Moses asked the Lord to see His glory, scripture tells us: “…And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.'” (Ex. 34:6) He goes on to speak of his mercy to thousands, but that He will judge those who are guilty of sin, of unbelief. Now, why is this vision of God so very important, if we would be in that position for Him to reveal His secrets? It is simply that for those who have such a vision of Him, there is the response of a commitment to Him to believe in Him as such, and follow Him. Those who honor Him, He will honor, and this is manifested in that He reveals His will, and His secrets, to those who have clean hands and a pure heart. This attitude of mind and heart are only possible with a right vision of God.
What are the secret things? Jeremiah tells us that, “…it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23) How then are we to know His will for our individual lives? How are we to know the reason for which He has brought us into the world, “…created in Christ Jesus unto good works?” We are not photocopies, but His individual masterpieces, each with God-endowed gifts, and capacities. So, how do we know these gifts, and calling of God, which are hidden to us? “By revelation.” Paul tells us that, “…it pleased God…to REVEAL His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen.” (Gal. 1:15-16) Such is the calling of God. But there is also the secret of the knowledge of the will of God, the direction of God in the life. He later writes, “I went up (to Jerusalem) BY REVELATION.” (2:2) So we see that God does reveal our calling to us, and His gifts. But He also unveils to us the mysteries of His will in His time and way, and this, by giving us clarity of direction. “He leadeth me.”
So, what are we to do? Give to God His place…upon His throne in heaven, and upon the throne of our hearts, deferring to His calling and purpose for our lives. I find it a very practical prayer to ask Him to “bring us sovereignly into conformity with His purposes, His will, and His way…believing Him to “instruct us and teach us in the way we should choose.” He will not fail; He will prevail…for He is absolutely good, faithful and true.
Love, Dad