“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
It is the mystery of God that affords us the privilege of seeking Him and finding our reward. He hides so that He can be manifest in different ways.
In the OT it states that no one will see Him and live. Moses was only revealed His back and His history. His front reveals the future.
Paul was blinded and left with a thorn in His side that humbled him after His encounter.
God keeps secrets in His glory, we are empowered to tap into these in the secret place where He brings revelation of Himself to us.
His secrets that empower us disempower Him and so will only be divulged to those considered worthy. One carrying revelation has power to operate at a different level and to also manifest and impart His glory safely because all the glory is recognised as God’s never one’s own.
“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.”
Finding such secrets are in the secret place where we must prove worthy to enter. It is not accessed in a romantic Christianity but one where we love with reverence, fear and respect. Without that worthiness the scroll or pages appear sealed.
“And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.””
It is only when we pause in wonder and reverence that we gain access. Talent and works are of no avail to open the doors. It is not by power or might but by His Spirit.
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
His question is are we worthy and has nothing to do with our attributes of ability or our works. God opens eyes to His secrets that are hidden mysteries while others fall asleep reading or hearing His word or praying or singing worship.
Too many have developed a way of being absent even though they are present in the building and this dishonours Him. Lip service is insufficient. We are not here to flatter but to honour.
“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?””
A strong angel takes the document and says ‘who is worthy?’
We are worthy only by His Holy Spirit residing as Lord within us.
God has the rain fall on the righteous and unrighteousness alike. Those who are worthy receive His revelation and glory.
“so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
God honours those who honour Him.
“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honour me I will honour, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
He weighs and justifies what is good and what is dishonouring. We add to His measurement in returning His glory as His due. Honour is not what we show but what we are, our substance, our worth.
We honour in our generosity of giving what we receive especially as all our blessings we receive from the Lord. His favour obligates us to honour Him.
We reap what we sow. If we pour out as Mary with her expensive oil or take offence at the waste as Judas.
As we stop giving we stop living.
The illustration shows the hidden words within sealed scrolls to be found and understood in the hidden secret place of our communion in prayer. Light emanating to push back the darkness.
Six Scriptures that come to mind:
“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” Proverbs 25:2 ESV
“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV
“And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” Isaiah 29:11 ESV
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 ESV
“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” Revelation 5:1-2 ESV
“so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 ESV
The song You Will Be Found. Natalie Grant / Cory Asbury
Lessisgreater 