The Secret of the Lord
Notes
Transcript
Read: Psalm 25:14
Read: Psalm 25:14
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; And he will shew them his covenant.
This verse is very deep and full of far more than what we could get to tonight. I want to skim across the surface and get the highlights.
Charles Spurgeon says,”the very surface is rich, as it were, with “dust of gold,””
I want to just fly across and dip our wings in its “gold dust” if you will.
Lets start with the focus of the verse; THE LORD - Jehovah - Yahweh
The I Am, the Creator, The First and the Last,
The One in whom we live, and move, and have our being,
The One “glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.”
The One we sing about in
“HOW GREAT THOU ART”
The Psalmist stops in this powerful Psalm to meditate upon the Lord -
He talks about them that “fear” him - those that reverence or serve Him have a special privilege
The writer of Proverbs tells us:
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
“Fear of God acknowledges one’s absolute dependence on God for mercy, forgiveness, and continued existence.” Adapted from NIVAC Gerald Wilson
Tony Evans says, “To fear God is to take Him seriously.”
But look at what comes to those who Fear Jehovah-
it says, “The secret of the LORD is with them -
Now I love that word secret -
A. B. Simpson wrote on this verse:
Sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen. When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained.
God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not worry if they are done up in rough wrappings. You may be sure there are treasures of love, and kindness, and wisdom hidden within. If we take what He sends, and trust Him for the goodness in it, even in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of Providence.—A. B. Simpson.
The Hebrew word used here for “secret” means things like:
Council
Couch or cushion (such as sitting together on a couch)
Confiding
Circle of confidants
Intimate fellowship
Friendship
What the Psalmist is saying is those who fear the Lord - are the Lord’s friends.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; And he will shew them his covenant.
We are friends so “He will shew [us] his covenant” make us to know his promises, plans,
We are told that Abraham was a friend of God
The Bible says “we have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother”
No wonder the songwriter said;
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
And why Joseph Ludgate wrote:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
A Friend when other friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!
A Friend when sickness lays me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!
A Friend when life’s short race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; And he will shew them his covenant.