Ephesians 3:9
“to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.”
When movies are released there is much build up and hype to get people excited to see it. God's plan of salvation was hidden since the fall. It was communicated in a cloaked fashion throughout Israel's history detailed in the Old Testament.
Jesus worked much the same way. He didn't want attention to be drawn to Himself. He discouraged it and would ask those who were healed not to publicize it. God's humility is amazing.
The night Jesus was born, the angels told the shepherds who were local. They came to see the new born king. God has great care for the downcast. He allowed the greatest event of history to be seen by them. He blessed lowly people to be the parents.
It is important to pause and talk about humility. This attitude trusts the Lord in protection and provision. It's nice to be recognized for our achievements. However we aren't to push the point ourselves. Proverbs 27:2 says, "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips." We do have a desire to be acknowldedged. It's not sinful, just a normal desire. It can be brought to sinful levels. We are to trust God and the principle of His Word to meet this need. He will fill it. David talks about this in Psalm 23, " Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies." He has honor banquets for us from time to time. It's from Him, not us.
Why doesn't God self promote? Some may misunderstand and say, "He doesn't want all to enter His kingdom." Quite the opposite, He wants all to be saved. So why didn't He market it differently. It's not the way He works. The humility point is real. He doesn't self promote, nor does He want us to. Then how does He get the message out? Romans 10:21 says, 'But as for Israel he says: "All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."' God is trying to reach us, we don't always respond. He is God and has many ways to talk to us. He can whisper to our hearts, He can alter circumstances to get our attention.
Another unique trait about how God shares the message is through parables. Those who want God can see it or are given more. While those who don't want Him miss it. They won't get more. That is until a different time.
The reason He does it this way is in Matthew 7:6, "don't cast pearls before swine". He won't share the message with those who disrespect it. That's why it's done in a cloaked manner. In the majority of times God messages us, we don't know it's Him. We think it's our own thought or just a circumstance that was presented. We would be shocked by all of His interventions. Once again God doesn't want all the attention. It's done through small, guarded ways. Over all, He will get the message out. It will be done differently due to the individuals and where they are at.
It is quite amazing how He does this. He is always working and communicating, but there's very little evidence of it. Almost like a pick pocket. All of the sudden, the wallet is gone and we have no idea of the theft. He does this to everyone. The billions of people on the globe, He is loving them and wooing them. Most don't know this is God. We attribute it to our own mind or imagination. Or maybe it came from a person. It may have been from God.
The closer we get to Him the more we see Him. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This we know is from God. It's a very satisfying, fulfilling sense of His presence. When we sin it fades. We are left with guilt. This is motivation to repent. We want that God connection back. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful." This is another evidence of God in our lives, His peace. Anxiety and sin can chase it away. We need to learn to trust Him. Peter says to cast all your cares upon Him. That peace returns.
The paragraph before is a contrast to today's entry about the mystery of God's camaflouged ways. Jesus said in Luke 8:10, 'And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables'. He reveals Himself to His children and to those that seek Him.
Hebrews 5:14 says, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This is on the topic of spiritual senses. Basically the sensing of God's presence discussed. Our spirit senses His Spirit, His peace fills our hearts. I Thessalonians 5:19 says, "Don't quench the Spirit". This happens when we sin or disobey Him. It's like ruining a mood. We feel it when this is done.
Lord, we thank You for how You've revealed Yourself and how You are seeking to make Yourself known to all. Help us to be instruments to assist in this.