Greetings, Zane.
I just rose from my Sunday afternoon nap—with pounding rain on the roof. Soon we’ll be taking off to Beaverton to have a meal and spend some time with a second cousin and his wife who are temporarily in Oregon from the East Coast—North Carolina.
So, what are you up to today? I presume it’s a day off from flagging. Did you go to church? We sure heard a great message from our pastor this morning. I hope you have learned to appreciate the benefits that come to those who meet together regularly with serious Bible believers/Christ followers. Check out Hebrews 10:25.
Love and prayers—Tua/Ray
This is an exhausting passage! There is so much inspiration packed into this little reading that I can hardly stand it—I don’t know where to begin! But I have to begin somewhere—so let’s begin with “the secret.”
Is “the secret” Paul mentions really a secret?—something that is known only to him? I don’t think so. In fact, if I am understanding accurately his meaning, what Paul calls “the secret” is totally proclaimed throughout Biblical revelation. It is the FACT of God’s transcendence, sovereignty, and goodness. And “the secret” that he says he has learned (notice that it is learned—not automatic) is quite simply BELIEVING IN THAT FACT—MAKING THAT BELIEF PRIVATE AND PERSONAL—AND ALLOWING THAT BELIEF TO RENDER ITS LOGICAL EFFECT—CONTENTMENT AND PEACE. And the reason he calls it “the secret” is because this fundamental and absolute belief seems to elude so many people, including many “believers,” that it is never adequately incorporated into the real fabric of their personal, private, and practical daily living—and becomes like a missing ingredient or an unknown secret. The natural consequence of not applying this secret is that a person will become anxious about almost everything. But Paul instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
I’m sure you have noticed that peace is better than anxiety—that contentment is better than discontent. Right? For sure, you don’t want to allow this secret to get by you. Its value is just too big! And don’t forget what David learned: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, KJV).