NOTHING HIDDEN FROM HIM
"Thy Father Who
seeth in secret" Matt. 6:4
That is in some sense the central
light upon a section of our Lord's ethical teaching. He had warned His
disciples against doing righteousness to be seen of men; and He applied that
warning in the matters of offerings, prayer, and fasting. The one conditioning
motive in each case must be that of the DIVINE APPROVAL. This being so, we are
to remember that our Father SEES IN SECRET. In this assurance there is great seriousness,
and great comfort. The soberness is created as we remember His holiness. NOTHING
CAN BE HIDDEN FROM THE EYES OF ETERNAL PURITY. He knows why we give or pray or
fast. We may deceive others, and unless we are ever conscious of the watching
eyes of God, we may deceive ourselves. Him we cannot so deceive.
All this is most solemnizing, and yet its chief note is that
of COMFORT. The very sense of fear which the statement creates in the soul is
of the nature of health. It makes us afraid of the base, the shameful, the impure;
for He approves the high, the decent, the pure. And more, it is good to know
that HE SEES IN SECRET, and understands when men misunderstand. That great
confidence has enabled men and women to endure with courage and cheerfulness in
terrible hours of criticism and suffering. The certainty that OUR FATHER SEES
IN SECRET is a sanctuary into which we may retire at all times, for correction,
for encouragement, and for comfort. Let that knowledge be at all times and
under all circumstances the INSPIRATION and STRENGTH of our lives.
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