Encouragement for Today - May 17, 2007

May 17, 2007

Hidden Things

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22 (NIV)

Devotion:

Recently, and quite unexpectedly, a dear member of our church passed away. It started out as a normal day. He was to celebrate his 73^rd birthday with his wife of 50 years that evening. After a workout at the local gym, he died. His death, though sudden to us, was no surprise to the Lord. The Lord was ready to give this precious man his final inheritance.

God never wastes an opportunity to teach us something, if we will listen. I had just finished reading the account of Moses' final charge to the Israelites before crossing the Jordan into the long awaited Promised Land. The descendents of those enslaved by the Egyptians were ready to claim their land after living in the desert for 40 years. All the descendents expect Reuben, that is.

Reuben approached Moses and asked if his tribe could claim the land on the east side of the Jordan. He explained to Moses that his people could build a fortified city there. The land was fertile and right for harvesting. He agreed to fight the battles with the others, to ensure the conquering of Canaan but when the battles were over he wanted to return to the land east of the Jordan.

This puzzled me. Why would Reuben, after surviving all those years, turn down the promise the LORD was ready to fulfill? I could not understand it. Then I traced Reuben's history and discovered the reason. Many years before this time, Reuben, who was the first born son to Jacob, defiled his father's marriage bed by sleeping with his father's concubine. This sin was not revealed until Jacob was on his death bed. At this time, Jacob took away the "double-portion" birthright that was due to Reuben as the firstborn. The sin was revealed and the blessing was removed. Now, it all made sense to me.

Reuben knew that when he crossed over the Jordan he would not get the finest property. He would have to watch someone else get his blessing. Therefore, he made is own arrangement. His own plan to get what he thought would be the best. Little did he know, years later the land he chose as the best would be the first taken into captivity by the Assyrians.

What we think is hidden from God is not. We gladly exchange the potential pain and consequence that comes from confessing our sin for the "greener pastures" the enemy offers. We don't realize when we do make this exchange; we also forfeit immediate forgiveness and redemption into a right relationship with Jesus. We needlessly spend life separated from God. We aren't fooling God, we are only fooling ourselves. He knows all things that are hidden in the darkness.

Don't wait until you are on your death bed to find out you've missed your birthright. Your birthright is described clearly in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." As a child of the Most High King, you stand to inherit an abundant and full life now, today. If you want to know how to do this, how to collect your inheritance click: Do You Know Him?

Allow God to bring into the light that which is dark and restore your brokenness.

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I want Your forgiveness for the all times I have attempted to hide things from You. You are Truth and only You can set me free. Today, I want to live in Your freedom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Show me the Way (CD) by Gwen Smith

Application Steps:

In your prayer time ask God to help you reveal your "hidden things." Trust Him to be faithful and just to forgive you and love you. Make the decision not to turn back, but to move forward in your inheritance no matter what the cost.

Reflections:

Am I child of God?

What have I exchanged for my inheritance?

What can I do to make a difference in my walk with the Lord?

Power Verses:

John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (NIV)

Romans 10:10, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (NIV)

1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org