Dear Readers,

In preparation for our year looking at Jesus’ example in the gospels, from time to time we will “replay” some older devotionals. We pray these get you excited for this new year of study together and for what God is going to do as we continue “Living By His Example.”

“There is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26

Cover-Up

One day, one of my children came out of his bedroom with one hand behind his back. He had crumbs around his mouth, and had that classic guilty-child look. I met him in the hall.

“Have you been eating cookies?” “No, Mommy.”
“What is in your hand?” “Nothing.”

“Let me see.” He quickly put the empty hand behind his back, clearly transferred something from his other hand, then showed me the now-empty hand. He looked me right in the eye, too, as if I should believe this charade!

Have you ever watched the news and wondered, what are they not telling us? Or have you listened to someone tell a story, and you thought, something just doesnʼt add up, somethingʼs not right here?”

Our enemy, the devil, tries to cover up or hide the truth. He is always up to no good, even transforming himself into an angel of light to deceive the believers, if possible (2 Corinthians 11:14). He always works under “cover” of darkness, though, so that his deeds do not come to light. His purposes are dark. His abode is dark. His works are dark. He attempts to darken our understanding by alienating us from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18).

Darkness results when there is a heavy cover of some kind put over an object, where no light can shine to illuminate it. We canʼt see what is covered. It is hidden from view. The heavy cover used by the enemy is deception.

What things are hidden from you? Anything the enemy doesnʼt want you to know. He doesnʼt want you to know that you are loved, you are forgiven, you have a purpose on earth. He doesnʼt want you to know things will look different in the morning, or that God has gifted you, or that Christ died for you (yes, you!), or that the Holy Spirit really does dwell in you. He doesnʼt want you to read and understand Godʼs Word, and he doesnʼt want you to know that God is good. He wants you in the dark and clueless at all times about Who God really is.

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). The “darkness” here is the Greek word SKOTIA. It means, among other things, ignorance of divine truth, moral depravity, manʼs sinful nature, and a lack of spiritual perception. It describes what is at enmity with God.

Be encouraged! God isnʼt hiding the truth from you. It is Godʼs pleasure to reveal truth to you. He has already told you the truth in His Word, and as if this was not enough, He sent Jesus, who IS the truth (John 14:6).

“God, we desire to know truth in the innermost parts of ourselves. Help us not to be deceived, that we may “know that we know that we know” all things that You have said in Your Word are true. We ask that You would uncover what the enemy has covered, and help us to walk in truth. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.”