When you read Matthew 6, there is a phrase that is repeated three times.
It is, “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Read it in verses 4,6, and 18.
Jesus taught us how to behave when we give, pray and fast. Not IF we give, pray and fast. But when we do those spiritual disciplines, we are to do them in secret. Close your door. Go through your day as if your tummy weren’t growling. Give without making any show or announcement. You get the idea. Jesus is actually encouraging us to have a rather secret, intimate life with Him. Think about that.
Secrets usually have a negative connotation. Many people live “secret lives.” God only knows what goes on behind closed doors. Abuse, fraudulent activity, affairs, cheating, stealing, betrayal…it all happens under secret living. But Jesus calls our attention to living godly secret lives. What if your private life was so God honoring that He would want to reward you openly? Sounds like the best kind of secret living.
Let this be an eye opener. We serve “The Father Who Sees What is Done in Secret.” Would knowing that change how we live? I believe so. Think deeply on this thought and see how it changes your thoughts, words, attitudes and deeds. See how motives change because Christ is in the room. The Unseen Father sees us all. We forget that He is there because we can’t see Him…but He is always present. We see so much injustice and wickedness and wonder, “Where is God?” But He sees it and a special day of judgment is surely coming. Fear not. God always has the final say.
Luke 8:17 says, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
Let’s live holy! Can I get a witness?
Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Every morning, I go through about three cups of green tea before I even eat breakfast. Then through the day I usually pour about three cups of brewed decaf coffee. I’m constantly pouring something to drink, whether it’s water, or milk for my coffee. Can we repeatedly pour out our hearts to the Lord? Tell your secrets to the One person who won’t blab it. Tell your deepest hurts, longings, fears, dreams to the One person who will always be there for you. His Name is Jesus. Like the hymn says, “Tell it to Jesus.” Talk to Him throughout the day. When you lie down. When you wake up. When you step out the door. When you sit with that meal. Before you have that meeting. As you wait in the waiting room. As you take a break midday. Keep pouring out your heart before the Lord.
Do your own personal study of Hagar in Genesis 16. She says, “You are the God who sees me.” What a revelation! God saw everything her mistress had done.
Study the prayer life of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1. She knew she could bring her brokenness before the Lord. You might be misunderstood even by “religious people.” No worries. God sees your heart and your prayers. God remembered Hannah and blessed her with Samuel.
Read through Acts 5 and be reminded that God sees the motives and true deeds of people and will punish in His own way.
The truth is whether we share our secrets with the Lord or not…He already KNOWS! Ha! He is so amazing, right? And yet, how often do we try to live like He doesn’t even know what we’re doing.
Come out of the darkness and into the light. There’s no shame out here. There’s room enough for you and for me. Jesus forgives every known sin and yes…every secret sin. We have a Father who sees what is done in secret. May He find us in prayer. May He find us fasting. May He find us giving.
Sometimes it helps to talk about things.
James 5:16,
Pastor Sharon
Pastor Sharon's Blog 