Things Now Hidden

“As it is written,

‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—

“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” “The Lord [will] come [and] bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; 4:5

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“Hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind).” “The Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.” “Your Father who sees in secret.“ 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Matthew 6:4,6

God fashioned the heart and mind of man to be contained, wholly under personal control, privately held and unable to be known except by His Spirit. We might think we know others well, but no one can read another’s mind or completely understand the ways of the heart. A blessedness in knowing the omniscient God is being known by Him, and loved. All now hidden will one day be revealed for His scrutiny and reward.

So what do we do with our hidden person? When was the last time we took a breath from busyness and contemplated how we have ordered (or disordered) our inner life? How satisfied are we with the places our thoughts meander, and how we process external stimuli? Are there pet sins we fool ourselves into thinking we’ve kept hidden? Do we ignore the warnings and commands the Lord issues, saying we’ll get right or clean up later? How regularly do we invite the Lord to search our heart and identify what needs cleansing and correcting? How will we tend to the unseen to keep pure and ready for God’s just eye? (Psalm 51:1-4; 139:23-24)

And how often do we marvel at the infinite and infinitely great God? When have we sought His holy infusion of our affections, outlook, and wonder? What will we set aside, turn off, or put down to imagine and seek what God has prepared for us in love? (Psalm 63:6-7)

Lord, I welcome Your refining Spirit to deal with anything hidden that dishonors You, to your righteous specifications, and Your inspiring Spirit to lift my adoration and hope, for Your honor and glory.