Secrets

Do you know any good secrets? I have in the past – from surprise birthday parties to changes in corporate structure. Confidentiality is a character trait to be desired. Keeping secrets is very important. God has shown us to be perfect at keeping things secret:

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:5-8 KJV)

“Had they known . . .” That could be said about us, too, couldn’t it? Had we known what God had planned, we wouldn’t have waited so long to accept His gift.  Had we known the joy He offers, we would have partaken much sooner. Part of the problem comes from listening to those who do not appreciate His gift nor want to be joyful. That is a mystery I cannot understand.

God does open some of His secrets:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV)

We might say it was easier for the disciples who walked with Jesus, heard His parables – and the explanations.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Matthew 13:17 KJV)

Preceding that verse is the parable of the sower. Following that verse is the explanation. Take time to look into the parable and Jesus’ explanation. Understanding one parable helps understand others – and there is much to learn from His words.

Some things are not yet understandable – not yet open to us. We are not prepared to receive them.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4 KJV)

Is there any other time in history that knowledge has been increased as in the last century? Are we not running to and fro? When will we know?

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:9-10 KJV)

What I understand is what Daniel was told at the close of his vision:

But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13 KJV)

I will do so not by what I know or what I have done, but by God’s grace:

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)