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| Pastor Michael Adetunji |
The knowledge of God is revelation. Besides the worship of God, human beings and specifically, Christians have a responsibility to seek the knowledge of God (have revelation) and gain mastery about the mysteries of His nature, character and divinity.
Psalms 25:14, "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant" presents the kind of men who can enjoy the confidentiality and the covenant of God - men who fear the Lord.
It however, behoves on God's children to understand how to access the secrecy, or secret things of the Lord wherein lies the privilege of an everlasting covenant, and depth of the knowledge of God. No true son remains in the dark, or ignorant of the things about his father.
Two words from the above text, SECRET and FEAR would be explored to arrive at a credulous destination that brings us closer to enjoying the revelation and covenant of God.
Literally, "secret" means something hidden; something beyond the surface; something that can only be revealed to be initiated; something confidential and enveloped in mystery; an opposite of knowledge.
In natural parlance, every successful business or organization has things that keep them above other competitors and/or customers. This means that the power of secrecy or confidentiality stays on the ignorant who remains in the dark.
The etymology of the word "Fear" shows it is derived a variety of Greek vocabularies, "Phobos" which implies the kind of fear that causes flight, dread or terror; "Deilia" meaning fearfulness, cowardice or timidity; and "Eulabeia" which implies, caution, reverence, godly fear (Hebrews 5:7; 12:28).
"Eulabeia", our point of call, is the kind of fear that mixes with love, to hold (someone) in awe or with respect. The word "Fear" in Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate" infers the godly fear which runs from all kinds of evil. Thus, the "Fear of the Lord" here implies reverence to God, godly fear and holding God with respect.
Consequently, "Eulabeia" or godly fear, has scriptural definitions and attributes that need to be understood. In other words, understanding and possessing (the characters and facts about) godly fear is key to accessing the secrets of God.
The corroboration of the scriptures highlight that the fear of God, (1.) is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10) (2.) Prolongs days and gives longevity of life (Prov. 10:27) (3.) Gives strong Confidence (prov. 14:26) (4.) Is a Fountain of life (Prov. 14:27) (5) Brings Contentment (Pro. 15:16) (6.) Brings riches and honour and life (Prov. 22:4) (7.) Is a spirit of its own (Isaiah 11:2) (8.) Brings multiplicity (Acts 9:31) (9.) Is clean (Ps. 19:9) (10.) Is teachable (Ps. 34:11) (11.) Puts the soul at ease (Ps 25:13) (12.) Inherits the earth (Ps 25:13b).
Succinctly, the fear of God is key to accessing the secrets of God. Here are practical ways to know the secrets of God;Being a member of the kingdom of God. This is earned by salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and gives the privilege of being within the fold and household of God (Mark 4:11).
Furthermore, discipleship must be valued which is a function of relationship. In the instance of Abraham, his relationship with God allowed him access to the secrets things of God (Genesis 18:17).
Other practical ways include, Being meek (Ps. 25:9); Learning to tarry in his presence (Ps. 91:1); Learning to obey and keep God's commandments (1 John 2:3-6); and desiring and pursuing the Inner Court/chamber experience.
Referring to the inner court/chamber experience provides an imagery of the Old Testamental access of only the High Priest to the inner chamber or holiest of holies of the temple. This allusion is to infer that the inner court/chamber is where the real experience is which must motivate a stronger desire to posessing intimacy with God. Pointedly, God cannot be known on the surface except through an intimate experience.
As a matter of fact, the secrets of the kingdom is an open secret revealed in the scriptures. Thus, allowing the fear of God permeate one's life is the beginning of a new life ready to access and enjoy the mysteries of God.