It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)
God doesn’t hide things from us. He hides things for us. God conceals things to provide us the indescribable privilege of thoroughly investigating the deeper things relating to life and relationship with God. Our diligent search for truth gives him glory and he is pleased when we discover what he has treasured up for us.
I remember a time when I took my young child shopping with me. I bought a candy for him with every intention of giving it to him after he ate a healthy meal. He saw me buy the candy and, when we got in our car, he began searching the bags for it. He scoured every bag, making a big mess, pulling everything out of all the bags in search of the prize. I was bubbling with laughter inside as I watched him. I knew how much fun he was having looking for the candy… and I knew something he didn’t… it was in my pocket. He kept asking where it was, to which I replied, “It’s being kept safe for you.” He was a persistent child though, and smart too… he began searching around me, getting closer and closer until he was poking my pockets and patting me down. Inevitably, he found the prize, and, in delight, we shared a bit of the candy right then… and saved the rest until after our meal.
I imagine our heavenly Father treasuring up many things, keeping them close to Him, so they are discovered through persistence and intimate examination. He has made us a royal race of kings and priests1 and given us the glorious honor of approaching Him as a dearly loving Father2. He has given us the right to enter His presence as children and heirs of His promises3. He delights in our efforts of discovery, regardless of the messes we make, because we are taking Him at His word and pressing into His goodness, refusing to be deterred from the prize. Somewhere along the journey we discover the real prize is not the candy (i.e. the blessings we enjoy). The real prize is discovering the heart of our Heavenly Father. He IS our great reward4.
May we be emboldened to seek and keep seeking God, believing that he is pleased with our diligent pursuit of him— looking forward to all the wonderful things stored up for us to discover in his presence.
1 Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:10 (NKJV) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
2 Romans 8:14-17 (NASB) For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
3 John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Galatians 3:26-29 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
4 Genesis 15:1 (NKJV) After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Psalms 16:5-6 (NKJV) O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.