GOD’S WONDERS REVEALED

Verse 18 is a cry from the heart of a man who had already discovered that the Word of God contained treasures beyond description. But beyond all that he had discovered, he felt that there was laid up great bounty, and he begs for the ability to perceive, appreciate and enjoy it. The language implies that he was conscious of a dimness of spiritual vision, but at the same time an assurance that God could remove it.

Do we sometimes feel like this as we turn to the Word? Do we find the reading of it hard-going, and when we have finished, do we feel that we have gained nothing, that it has been a profitless exercise? Never forget that we have a subtle enemy, who hates God’s Word, and one of his activities is to blind the minds of men. But let us never forget that we have a priceless privilege today that the psalmist did not have, that is, the indwelling Holy Spirit whose work is to lead us “into all the truth”, John 16. 13 R.V. As we turn to the Word, shall we also use the words of the psalmist, “Open thou mine eyes”

What are the wonders found in the Word? In Isaiah 64. 4, the prophet exclaims, “men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God … what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him”. Paul had this passage in mind when he wrote, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit”, 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10. Some of these wonders are described in the N.T. as “mysteries”, things which previously had been hidden, but now have been revealed. As examples, “the mystery of godliness” (the incarnation), 1 Tim. 3. 16; the mystery of the church, Eph. 5. 32; the mystery of the resurrection and the rapture of the church, 1 Cor. 15. 51; and “the mystery of iniquity”, 2 Thess. 2. 7.

Note what the psalmist says in verse 19, “I am a stranger in the earth”, so since we belong to heaven, may we be taught heavenly things:

“The heavens declare Thy glory Lord, In every star Thy wisdom shines; But when our eyes behold Thy Word, We read Thy Name in fairer lines.”