THE SECRET OF THE LORD

PSALMS 25:1

A. THE SECRET OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT FEAR HIM; AND HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT
  1. Bible students know that the book of the Psalms is among the most influential books of the Bible:
    1. It shows David's close connection with God.
    2. It unfolds the rich experience of one instructed in the things of God.
  2. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant:
    1. What is the secret of the Lord.
    2. What is the covenant which He will make known unto them that fear Him?
B. THE SECRET OF THE LORD
  1. The phrase "secret of the Lord" occurs about twelve times in our English Bible:
    1. It denotes the special favors of the Lord.
    2. His intimacy and close relationship with certain persons. EXAMPLES -
      1. Abraham - Gen. 18:17, 18
      2. Moses - Num. 12:1-8
      3. Enoch, the seventh from Adam - Heb. 11:5
      4. The disciples - Mark 4:11, 12
  2. I can think of seven special enjoyments which come to us because of a close relationship with God:
    1. The knowledge of the word which leads unto salvation - 2 Tim. 3:15-17
    2. Wisdom which appropriates the knowledge of God's word - 1 Ki. 3:9; Eccl. 2:13; 7:19; Deut. 4:6; Prov. 3:13; 1 Cor. 1:30
    3. Confidence, the basis of true and lasting fellowship - Acts 28:31; Job 4:6; 13:15; Ps. 118:6, 7
    4. Strength which enables us to live the truth - Neh. 8:10; Zech. 4:6; Deut. 33:25
    5. Courage which is necessary to undertake for God - Josh. 1:7; Acts 28:15
    6. Endurance - Matt. 24:12-14
    7. Accomplishment or fruitage - 2 Tim. 4:7
  3. The Beneficiaries of God's secret:
    1. It is with them that fear him -
      1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - Ps. 111:10
      2. The fear of the Lord is clean - Ps. 19:9
      3. The fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life - Prov. 22:4
    2. Let us note, briefly, the chief purpose of raising man to greatness -
      1. It is to reveal the manifold grace of God.
      2. To teach man to trust in God only.
      3. To influence others for God and good.
C. A REVELATION OF THE COVENANT OF GOD
  1. We know that it is the covenant of peace:
    1. Made with the Patriarchs of old - Gen. 3:15; 9:11- 15; 12:13
    2. It is, in fact, the New Testament - Heb. 9:6-11; 10:15, 16
    3. It is light from heaven which is the fruit of loyalty to God's law - Ps. 119:97, 98
  2. The covenant referred to in our opening text has reference to:
    1. The divine pledge to His people which assures them of God's faithfulness - 1 Thess. 5:24
    2. Paul leaned heavily on God's faithfulness as to his own standing before God - 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Tim. 1:15
    3. He will keep His promise to those who will keep their promise to Him - Heb. 6:13-20
  3. This covenant was ratified with the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord:
    1. This is a part of the great doctrine of our salvation - Heb. 9:14-17
    2. This is the very life of the hope of the penitent sinners - Matt. 1:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-3
  4. The secret of the Lord is the great mystery of godliness -- Christ in us the hope of glory.


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