Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. (John 18:20, NIV)

In contrast to Jesus’ full disclosure policy, have you noticed that corruption thrives in secrecy?

Indeed, if people knew what was really going on behind certain locked doors and barred chambers, in secret corridors and (in Jesus’ context, above) closed minds, the days of evil would be shortened. The stake of truth would sink sooner into the heart of darkness.

Fortunately, and historically, disclosure happens all the time where God leads, guides, and directs, and where good men and women act.

I mean, Who (and who) else have the power and desire (often facing great odds) to expose fools’ gold, aka, all that glitters and seduces but ultimately at the cost of minds, hearts, and lives? In some cases, whole civilizations.

But evil is never really completely hidden.

There is One, as in God, Who sees all and, in the fullness of time, whether through men and women or some other means, reveals and deals with all. As put in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans (1:18):

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness…

The truth, which always and ultimately leads to the Truth-Teller of truth-tellers becomes known to all.

To continue the passage above,

…19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse… (Berean Study Bible) 

(I mean, if you think about it, who can counter the truth of the mountain, the power of the sea, the ever-manifesting mysteries of the universe?)

Another passage describes the final scene:

For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (Romans 14:10-12, NIV)

In the mean time while mean people yet work their destruction, conjured up in secret rooms and in secret societies, it can be frustrating as well as dangerous because the end game of evil is–more evil.

When once the lid is off Pandora’s box–and restraint goes slack–there is no end to trouble.

It is days like this when I scan the world’s (increasingly bad) news for something good, hopeful, but find less and less, I remember to go to the Good News and source of all truth.

Today’s selection is from the “Proverb of the day” (chaper 8, for October 8th). It reads, in part, like this (from the NIV):

Does not wisdom call out?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
² At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³ beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O people, I call out;
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.^[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
⁷ My mouth speaks what is true,
    for my lips detest wickedness.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
⁹ To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
¹⁰ Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.

And a little farther down, this:

“Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

It might take some time, trials, and tribulation before the reveal of the final–and forever–“favor from the Lord,” but, if you think about it, what’s the only other option?

May I encourage you to choose daily the gold of God’s instruction (encouragement, comfort, hope–and truth) as you carry on.