Praise & Pray

Years ago, I was walking with a coworker after work. We discussed a workplace incident, and she wondered if the culprit would ever be caught. I laughed and told her there are no secrets under the sun, and that whatever is done in the dark will eventually come to light. She was surprised to hear my outlook and asked why I was so sure. I explained that I had always known that was the truth, and eventually we went our separate ways, with her heading home in one direction, and I in another.

I recently recalled that conversation while reading the New Testament. Luke 12:2-3 - There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. /What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. It's amusing that I somehow knew this truth even before becoming an ardent student of the Bible, and this wisdom remains as important today as it was when it was written thousands of years ago.

Many of us think there'll be no consequences for our actions because nobody saw us do it. For instance, we hide behind usernames to say and do things on the internet we wouldn't care to admit to in polite company. Even when offline, we do certain things quietly, away from prying eyes, despite knowing it's wrong. God's word states that all secrets will be revealed. Consider David's affair with Bathsheba and his attempted cover-up. God revealed the treachery to Prophet Nathan, who confronted him (2 Samuel 12:10). God continues to reveal the hidden things that people are doing till this day. He will tell one of His servants, and so, yes, no secret is safe.

Let's set the Bible aside and look at current events. How many scandals have hit the news where someone thought they would get away with something illegal and/or immoral? Either they slipped up and inadvertently incriminated themselves, or someone figured it out. How about when a confidant or co-conspirator snitched on them? Such incidents cause the older people to say, "God don't like dirty," as a way to explain the irony of such situations. And our elders are correct. Light has no business with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). If what we were doing was righteous, we wouldn't wait for the cover of darkness and secrecy to do it. So, He must bring that dark thing into the light.

​

The Lord wants us to do the right thing at the right time, all the time. He knows this will not be easy, so He left guidance in the Bible and constant counsel through His Spirit. The key is to submit to God's word in obedience, knowing that He transforms those who desire His blessed touch upon our lives.

So, are you planning something unrighteous that you hope will remain a secret? Think twice. Do you believe nobody will know about it? God knows. He might not expose you immediately, but that's because He's giving time to repent and confess the sin. He does this out of love because He warned in Proverbs 28:13 - People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Confessing the secret and renouncing it is key to receiving His blessings. And He wants to bless all His people.

It is better to repent, confess, and, where possible, rectify the things done in the dark on this side of eternity. Imagine standing in front of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Heavenly Host, and all mankind on judgment day, only to be publicly held accountable for what we never repented for? That thing done in the dark will be placed on full display. How would it feel to discover that the gates of heaven remained closed because of secret unforgiveness in our hearts?

Do all things with humility and keep the fear of the Lord in mind. Treat others as Christ's Royal Law dictates - the way we want to be treated. Know that God is watching and we will be held accountable for the words we spoke, even the ones we didn't mean. Remember, Ecclesiastes 12:14 - For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. We, therefore, will also have to defend what we did. Those things said online or whispered so others didn't hear, plus all those things done in secret, will all come out in the open one way or another.

There are no secrets we can keep from God. He is the Revealer of Mysteries, and the truth will always come out. Now that we know this, let's do things better from here on. Let us endeavor to live public and private lives that please the Lord. James 4:17 - Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning (GWT). The Lord will help us all by His grace and to His glory, IJMN, Amen.

As you wait for fellowship at 12 Noon EST, consider reading the following previous P&P messages:

1. Idle Words Block Blessings

2. Godly or Ungodly, You Choose

3. Packaging

4. Lead a Quiet Life & Mind Your Business

5. Christian, Guard Your Tongue

6. Sinful Desires

7. Don't Fake It Till You Make It

8. Don't Deceive or Lie To God

9. Hypocrites

10. Gracious Speech

11. Blindspots

12. Sin Brings A Scar

13. Topic: Repent

14. Topic: Fear of the Lord

15. Topic: The Words We Speak