The secret of the LORD

While reading in the Book of Psalms this morning, I was touched by Psalm 25:14.
The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him,And He will make them know His covenant.
My devotional Bible is the New American Standard Bible. The term ‘secret’ had other translations listed—counsel or intimacy. Obviously, the term intimacy caught my attention. I began thinking about how our relationship with the Lord can only be truly intimate when we fear (respect) Him.
When we have a friend who only calls when she needs something or who is always telling our secrets, we begin to lose respect for that person. We find it hard to trust her, we might begin distancing ourselves from her, and, ultimately, the friendship may fail altogether. Why? Because of a lack of respect. When our spouse has an affair or spends the family money on things that are selfish or wasteful, we will have many issues to work through, but, ultimately, until true respect is built again, the relationship will suffer greatly.
Just as in earthly relationships, true intimacy with God is only achieved when a deep, abiding respect is a fundamental part of growing the relationship. As we respect the Lord—building intimacy with our loving Father, he reveals His covenant to us.
What is His covenant? Literally, it is the covenant He made with Abraham, but also it is the covenant He makes with every believer that He will reveal Himself, making known to us what is the teaching we should follow and the path we should take in life. (John 7:17)
My friends, do you respect the Lord and desire to follow His ways? If you know Him, then the desire is in you. Call out to Him, ask Him to show you what His desire is for you, and let Him know that you care. Just like in any budding relationship or relationship that has faltered, there will be missteps, but God wants simply to hold your hand and be with you as you live this earthly life. He wants to help point out the pitfalls and make sure you don’t miss the abundant treasures hidden (sometimes in plain sight).

Comfort During Troubling Times

Often when we feel down, we pull into our shells, and we forget to go to God’s Word. We remember Him and cry out to Him, but often we simply don’t grab our Bibles and let God’s Living Word renew us. Here’s a psalm to bring you comfort.

Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.


Just as this psalmist remembers what God has done, we need to remember the numerous times that God was faithful in our past and hold onto the truth that He is faithful now, and we will be able to see it down the road.