Recently I saw a vision of new life sprouting up in several low growing fresh evergreen shrubs. As I focused on this new fresh growth, I noticed they seemed a little blurry. I realized that the Lord’s new growth and life for the Body wasn’t totally clear with the fullness of revelation that I wanted. I desired a scripture to help make this vision a little clearer; because I enjoy knowing exactly what the Lord is doing without any surprises…which lately hasn’t seemed to happen very often.
In Ephesians 1:9 it says, “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.” Then I realized, much of the time God’s eternal purposes are hidden from us. Yes, we receive most of His revelation through His Word, prayer, gifts of the Spirit, circumstances, and maturation. However, some of His revelation is a mystery hidden in God’s big picture. It unfolds in the form of progressive revelation.
Abraham had to wait many years to obtain the promise from God. Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and he never did walk into the promise. No one seemed to understand the purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection at the time. In the Old Testament the prophets spoke, and the people/kings usually ignored them or misunderstood God’s purposes. Many purposes of God took hundreds of years to be revealed after the prophets spoke.
There are some obvious plans that God has for us. He desires for us to worship, seek intimacy with Him, pray, have community, be transformed into Christ’s image, and show His glory. As obvious as these plans are for us, His eternal purposes may still be hidden or be a mystery.
As a believer who enjoys hearing from God for myself or through others, not knowing what is happening in my life, culture, nation, and world can be somewhat frustrating. Having the vision of new growth and life, even though everything happening may not be totally clear, is ok. He may not reveal his purpose yet. I may be seeing through a glass darkly. I can embrace progressive revelation as it unfolds.
In my relationship with God, I know that He is not keeping revelation from me due to any unrepentant sin, or that he doesn’t love me. God always wants to speak to His children. I rest in the fact that His ways are not my ways, and there may be a mystery that is yet to be revealed. I can relax in His covenant of peace and continue to seek His face and be content if I am not hearing Him answer every question I have. His sovereignty, His covenant love, and character have produced a peace like nothing else!
In His Covenant Love,
