HE WILL SHOW THEM

"The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant."– Psalm 25:14

From time to time, statements are found in Scripture that especially expand our view of the Lord. By nature, we tend to have small views of God, and minuscule persuasions about His great salvation. That is a wretched tendency with which we must continually wrestle. Without the grace of God, our hearts and minds underestimate the desire of the Lord to share Himself with us. Many a timorous soul has drawn back from God, persuaded He was not kindly disposed toward them. Our text speaks to that situation, informing us of the Lord's desire to show us great and marvelous things about himself.

The NIV reads, "The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them." The NASB states it with even more strength. "The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant." These expressions stretch our faith and challenge our hearts. The very notion of God confiding in a mortal, and making His covenant known to them is most arresting. And when you consider His secret is "FOR THOSE who fear Him," and that He will "MAKE THEM know His covenant," you have an abundance for meditation.

Let it be clear, we are speaking about the character of God. This is the manner in which His Kingdom functions. This is the very heart of God. What He has deliberately and effectively hidden from everyone else is intended for those who fear Him. The covenant which He has made in Christ, large and profound though it may be, will be unveiled to those who fear Him. Your faith can take hold of that, and your heart can rest confidently in it. These things are true.

What rich consolation comes when we read who is intended to receive these blessings: "those who fear Him." That puts is well within the reach of faith. Had He said He would tell His secret and show His covenant to those who have done great exploits, it would have been a discouraging word for many of us. If He had promised these things to those who perfectly keep His Law, we would all have dropped our heads in despair. However, even the fainting heart is strengthened when recalling, "Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him" (Psa 85:9).

The person fearing God is the one who sees himself as nothing before the Lord. The Lord's presence convinces such a one of their deep spiritual poverty, and sparks remorse because of countless failures. This is the one who is stricken with reverential fear at the Word of the Lord. God is graciously inclined to such a one. As it is written, "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isa 66:2). This is the one who sees the destitution of nature and the impotence of flesh.

And what will the Lord do for such a soul? How will He regard their trembling and contrition of heart? Will he chide them for lacking boldness in His presence? Indeed not! He will open His heart to them, telling them His "secret." They will see things about Him no one else sees. He will show them His tender compassion and loving kindness. His rich grace will be opened to them, and His desire to dwell with and in them. The mystery of His great salvation, hidden from the foundation of the world, will be revealed to them (1 Cor 2:7; Eph 3:9). As the Spirit declares, "the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints" (Col 1:26). The truth will fairly leap off of the pages of Scripture, becoming precious and clear to the person to whom God tells His "secret."

And He will "show them His covenant." Spurgeon once said, "Saints have the key of heaven's hieroglyphics; they can unriddle celestial enigmas" (Treasury of David). What marvelous confirmation of that is found in this verse. And how will God "show them His covenant?" It is a covenant marked with such grandeur and mystery that the world's most profound religious thinkers have stood dismayed before it. His covenant speaks of remission, the granting of righteousness, and the indwelling Spirit. It tells of access to God, a home in heaven, and the experience of the power of the resurrection. This is a covenant made with Jesus, and confirmed to all who are "in Him." It is a covenant of provision and promise. God will "show" it to those who see Him as He is through Jesus. He will unravel the mystery of Divine acceptance, making it clear to the heart. He will convince them He has accepted them.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank You for being forward to reveal Yourself and Your covenant to those who fear You. Count me, O my God, among that privileged number!

-- Monday: THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT --