HIDDEN THINGS FOR HIDDEN ONES.
It was a gracious and merciful act when Obadiah hid an hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and "fed them with bread and water" (1Ki_18:13). But how much better is it to be the Lord’s hidden ones? Who shall discover those whom He hath concealed? We ask-
I. Who are They? "They have taken counsel against Thy people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones" (Psa_83:3). Then those hidden ones are-
1. His Own. Sought out by His love, convicted by His Spirit, redeemed by His blood. "Your body and your spirit which are God’s" (1Co_6:20).
2. He Hides Them. "Thy hidden ones." "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col_3:3), and hid by God Himself. What a place of safety! He takes us under the feathers of His own wings. "I flee to Thee to hide me" (Psa_143:9).
II. Where He Hides. In the safest place in the universe.
1. In the Pavilion of His Grace. "He shall hide me in His pavilion" (Psa. 27 5). We are not under the cloud of the law, but under the covering of His redeeming grace. The word atonement means covering.
2. In the Secret of His Tabernacle (Psa_27:5). The secret place of the Tabernacle was where God Himself dwelt, in the Holy of Holies. Into the secret of His own presence hath He brought us. "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col_3:3). "Abide in Me." What a blessed hiding-place is ours! "God is our Refuge, we shall not be moved" (Psa_46:1).
III. What They are Hidden From. The-
1. Pride of Man (Psa_31:20). To be saved from the pride of one’s own heart is a great deliverance. The pride of man is the source of many evils. Our security is in the bosom of Him who is the meek and lowly in heart.
2. Strife of Tongues (Psa_31:20). The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. God’s hidden ones are lovers of peace, and know the peace of God. The confusion of tongues belong to the world, but Thou art my hiding-place (Psa_32:7). Thy Word is pure, Thy voice is clear and unmistakable.
IV. The Privilege Enjoyed by the Hidden Ones. They dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in a sure dwelling, and in a quiet resting-place (Isa_32:18). They-
1. Are Taught Hidden Wisdom (1Co_2:7). We have received the Spirit of God that we might know the things that are freely given us of God. Wise in Christ. Secret things belong to God (Psa_31:19; Mat_13:11).
2. Receive Hidden Riches. "I will give thee the hidden riches of secret places" (Isa_45:3). Being in Christ, we are in the secret places where the unsearchable riches are (Eph_3:8). "In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col_2:3).
3. Eat Hidden Manna. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna" (Rev_2:17). Those bidden by God have a meat to eat that others know not of (Joh_4:32), they are fed by the finest of the wheat. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. for I am called by Thy Name, O Lord God of Hosts" (Jer_15:16).
"Thou blest Rock of Ages,
I’m hiding in Thee."
Autor: James Smith