The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe...
"Things Revealed, Things Concealed"
Our God is the great communicator, to the degree the Lord Jesus Christ is "the Word" who was "made flesh" in order to "declare (reveal) Him" (John 1:1; 14; 18).
That being said, it is also the case that Solomon wrote, " It is the glory of God to conceal a thing" (Proverbs 25:2). Our Lord reveals much of Himself and His truth through creation, His Word, His church, and by His Spirit. However, He also withholds much, based on His glory and our needs. If it were possible for us to know everything God knows, we would invariably put our hands where they don't belong and make a mess of His doings. Moreover, if we knew all regarding His working to provide for us, protect us, and fulfill His will in our lives, the temptation would confuse and bewilder us to the degree we could never have true peace. So, our Heavenly Father reveals those things we need to know, and conceals those things that best remain hidden from our awareness.
"The path of the just is as the shining light… He hath set darkness in my paths" (Proverbs 4:18; Job 19:8).
As we frequently suggest in these messages, we can know much and we can know more. But we can never know all. We therefore do well to follow another ray of light offered by Solomon: "With all thy getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). Every sincere believer must admit that we "know nothing yet as we ought to know" because we have not sought our Lord and truth well enough (I Corinthians 8:2). Indeed, when we are concerned about God's ways we don't understand, our best response is to focus on ways that have been and are available to us, but we don't know because we have not looked well enough. An honest confession might be in order:
"Heavenly Father, I have given much attention to matters You don't seem likely to explain. I have also given too little attention to light that surely awaits me in Your Word, and by Your Spirit's illumination. Forgive me for both my presumption and my neglect."
Much awaits us of our Lord's abundant communication to our hearts and minds. And much awaits us of matters we would like to better understand, but likely will not. We therefore do well to seek, and to rest. Believers ever live on a "need to know" basis with our Lord. Our path will shine with bright light as we keep our eyes open. And, in matters of darkness, we will also see the Light that reveals our Father can be trusted when He offers explanation - and when He doesn't.
"Thou wilt show me the path of life."
(Psalm 16:11)
"Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous."
(Psalm 112:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
(Psalm 112:4)
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