Monday Reflection \u2013 August 30, 2021
Why? For what Reason?<\/p>\n\n\n
Woe to those who go to great depths to hide\u00a0their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, \u201cWho sees us?\u00a0Who will know?\u201d Isaiah 29:15<\/p>\n\n\n
As I read today\u2019s Watchword, I could hear the question \u2018why\u2019 sounding loudly in my ears. Infact, the text begs a number of \u2018whys\u2019. Why do people go to great depths to hide? Why would someone want to hide from God? And the list goes on. But even as I ask why, I can hear psychiatrist, Professor Wendel Abel saying to me, \u201cJermaine, why is not a good question to ask especially in a counselling session. Why puts people in a defensive mode. You should ask instead, what are the reasons for your action\/feeling etc.?\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
The text beckons us to ask, what are the reasons for one to hide their plans from God? For what reasons do people work in the dark, under the shadow, in hiding? Clearly, there must be something that we do not want another to see. Or something that would result in serious consequences if others were to see or know. Infact, the text implies a serious level of hypocrisy on the part of persons who not just hide, but go to great depths to hide. When we have to hide like this, we live a lie and what we say and who we are is a sham, a fa\u00e7ade, a fake. We project ourselves as one thing, but the real us is another.<\/p>\n\n\n
Another dimension of this hiding and acting under the covers has to do with our motives or even ill motives. This is where one\u2019s actions sometimes have to be brought under the microscope. We may pretend to be doing good, but our real motives are not for the good of others. No matter how great, wonderful and commendable our actions are, if they are not driven by righteous and godly motives, it is all in vain. Whenever we have ulterior motives, we need a heart check. In the context of this text, the prophet offers some stinging criticism of the people of God. He says in verse 13 that they draw near to God with their mouths and honour Him with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Him. The people knew how to\u00a0talk the spiritual talk, but their\u00a0hearts\u00a0were\u00a0far from\u00a0God. In other words, only mouth talk, no heart connection.<\/p>\n\n\n
Today\u2019s text says that the people hide and then think, \u201cWho sees us?\u00a0Who will know?\u201d In their false wisdom, the proud people of Jerusalem thought they could hide their thoughts and their deeds from the Lord. We must not forget that Adam and Eve planned a hide out from God, but to no avail. Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 15:3, \u201cThe eyes of the Lord\u00a0are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.\u201d Paul affirms this truth in today\u2019s New Testament text, \u201cEverything exposed by the light becomes visible.\u201d Ephesians 5:13 We can hide from man, but not from God.<\/p>\n\n\n
As we strive to live for God, let us be true to God, ourselves and to others. As we think and make decisions to act, let us ask ourselves, \u201cFor what reason(s) am I going to say or do this?\u201d If those reasons are not for God\u2019s glory and the edification of others, let\u2019s stop and reverse. We glorify God when our lives are committed to the wellbeing of others, and helping each other to fulfil God\u2019s purpose and become our best.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jermaine Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday Reflection \u2013 August 30, 2021 Why? For what Reason? Woe to those who go to great depths to hide\u00a0their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, \u201cWho sees us?\u00a0Who will know?\u201d Isaiah 29:15 As I read\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[13],"class_list":["post-586","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-christian-living"],"yoast_head":"\n