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.