Thursday, May 21, 2015

Hidden Secrets


No One Will Ever Know !!
(Wrong)
Mark 4:22  For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 

Many years ago, as a newly married couple, Robert and I pinched pennies and did not have extra money to squander. 

One day the “Jewel Tea truck,” parked in front of our apartment and the gentleman showed me their catalog.   

In those days, Melmac dinnerware was new and Jewel Tea offered a set of dishes on the installment plan. 

I desired those dishes, but was too embarrassed to tell my husband, so I hid them in the cupboard until they were fully paid for.  Finally I confessed and we enjoyed the new dishes.  However - I suffered with guilt many weeks for that hidden secret. 

Secrets can take many different forms, such as jealousy, hurt feelings, resentments, self-pity, anger, selfishness, unforgiveness, and be kept out of view of others 

The light will arise and shine when the darkness is very great. The darkness cannot overpower the light, but the light will reveal what has been hidden in the darkness. 

In our Sunday School Bible study we have been discussing the first two commandments.  Special interest was taken about: No other gods before The One True God, and not to make graven images or worship them.

We talked about idols and how so many things can become an idol. 

Our teacher asked us to share what God was showing us, and when my turn came, I shared something that could be seen as an idol.  I was reminded of the story about Achan.
God sent Joshua to destroy the city of Jericho and all its inhabitants except save alive the Harlot Rahab and her household. (Because she hid the spies and saved their lives.)  Amazingly she is in the line of Christ. 

Joshua 6:24 And the Children of Israel burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.

Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel, 

God showed Joshua who had sinned and Achan confessed;  7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.  

It is important to search our hearts and see if there is anything hidden buried in our tent so to speak.   

If so, may we be quick to allow God's light to reveal the hidden things, so that we might clean house and ask forgiveness. 
 
God is gracious and will give us opportunity to begin with a clean slate. 
 
 

5 comments:

Cheryl said...

I have often thought of Achan, too, and how it seemed that his punishment was so severe. But, it just goes to prove that God is very displeased when we try to cover our sin. It is so much better to come clean with God and be honest. He knows all about us anyway, and He sees everything that we think is hidden from Him. This post was a wonderful reminder. Thank you for sharing what God has placed upon your heart...you always encourage me and prompt me to holiness.

Aritha said...

Thanks for your openess. I love what you are writing about your dishes. It is so recognizable for me. I often think to what God said to Abraham: "Walk before Me and be sincere."

My new url: http://shininglikestarsdutch.blogspot.nl/

Ifeoma Samuel said...

Sometimes we hide things even from God. But He knows them still!
No Hidden Sins. Thank you for the reminder.
God Bless Hazel

Unknown said...

It's easy in hindsight to look at things like that and think they were so silly to try to hide something from God, like Jonah trying to outrun God while running around a globe that sits in His hand… And yet we tend to do even worse sometimes by justifying our actions, especially with God's other words. We're not so different, but we are forgiven.


This one really spoke to me today, Hazel. I need to be sure and shine the Light inside my heart, mind, and soul.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

You are right. And we have to admit it and not think God doesn't know. I am now racking my brains to think if there is anything hidden from God?? xxx