The Struggle to Seek More
It is part of the human condition to wish for the things we don’t know or have instead of enjoying and using the things we have been given. One indication of our struggle is obvious in that nearly every marketing message we see and hear appeals to us to acquire more or make an upgrade. The marketers know our desire to accumulate more!
All through the book of Deuteronomy, Moses made clear that God was the one and only deliverer, provider, and God of the Israelites. Over and over again, the Israelites drifted to seek help or, worse, attribute their help to idols. Now, on the verge of entering the long-awaited promised land, Moses once again called the Israelites to honor and keep their covenant with God.
At the end of Deuteronomy 29, Moses gave the Israelites a teaching that we might want to remember:
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
So, what about secret things? I think we should start with the fact that whether we always think about it or not, we have no secrets that we can keep from God. He knows us better than we know ourselves, including all our fears and temptations. The more we seek God with all our heart and do not lean on our understanding, the more his Spirit whispers to us and helps us see our insecurities and perspectives. Then we receive correction and help from the Lord when needed.
Honestly, how burdened might we become if God chose to reveal all things to us now? Does anyone actually think that their life is so well managed and their wisdom so great that they could handle even a fraction of the things that only God knows and understands?
What we should be more concerned with, I think, is how well we manage the things God has revealed to us. And I believe that was likely the context Moses had when he spoke those words to the Israelites. They continued to struggle to follow the things God had revealed over and over again, which is precisely why they had been in the wilderness for 40 years. So, what are some of the things God has revealed to us that are ours? Besides the whole of scripture, here are a few things that we know that I am challenging us to remember, trust, and follow:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)
““For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
Father, your word is filled with so many promises. We acknowledge that you are the one who keeps every promise and provides for every need. We thank you! Today we chose to quit worrying about the secret things we don’t know and focus on the precious promises that are ours in Christ. Fill us with confidence that comes from the Holy Spirit, that we might walk in humility, love, and purpose and be used to share the good news of your kingdom with someone today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV
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