Hidden Things

“I thank you father that you have hidden these things….”

In all our Bible reading, we see how the Lord reveals things to us. He offers revelation to all who seek and understanding for those who want to learn. He offers it freely, without cost or reservation. Anyone who seeks shall find, any who ask shall receive. Yet there is one passage that states that there are some things God intentionally withholds.

In Luke 10:21 we read: “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.’”

This verse strikes me every time I come across it. The Lord rejoices in the Holy Spirit and bursts out in thanks to His Father for intentionally withholding “these things.” But from whom is it withheld and what exactly is being withheld?

First, it is withheld from the ones who are wise and understanding. Meaning the ones who are wise and understanding in their own eyes. The beginning of wisdom lies in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) and if anyone wants to boast he should boast in that he “understands and knows” the Lord (Jeremiah 9:24); not in our earthly knowledge and skills or abilities, but about how well we know Him. So, the ones who only ever look to their own wisdom and understanding will not see the things reserved for those who rely on understanding and knowing the Lord personally. We might get far in life with our own wits and do quite well for ourselves, but there is a measure of grace and power that will remain veiled so long as we do things in our own strength. They are however revealed to us when we begin to rely on and seek the presence of God in our lives.

A closer look at what it is that is reserved for those who understand and know God, who rely on Him instead of themselves, is found in the preceding verses: “Behold I havegiven you authority…over all the power of the enemy.... Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (v.19-20)

What a profound truth. Even though we live in this physical world, we also live in a spiritual reality, which existed long before the physical world. Through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, He brings us into right standing with God the Father and when we live in God’s will, the Lord grants us authority over the spiritual darkness of the world. We get to walk in the light of the Son and our prayers, which are spiritual, have power.

Flesh and cunning can only bring us so far. But there is a place and a time in our lives when we need to surrender to God and rely on His might. That is when we realize just how much more there is to life than meets the eye.

My prayer is that you come to that place quickly, long before you run out of creative ideas to solve your everyday problems. Trust the Lord who alone has the ultimate authority. Allow Him to navigate and turn your circumstances according to His sovereign will.