“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV)
“God is not upset we don’t know everything...I wanted to see what’s really there. Yet, if I thought I didn’t like the answer I thought I might get, I wouldn’t ask the question. But I ask the Lord a lot of questions. He wants us to ask questions; this isn’t questioning him. I asked him, why don’t you just give answers? He said, when people aren’t asking questions, they aren’t looking for answers. When people go along thinking they have the answers then they are unteachable. It’s better when you ask questions because you are seeking. Ask – Seek – Knock. Be curious and hungry for Jesus. Dive into every swimming pool [of faith] he puts in your way.” – Kellie Copeland (1/27/23)
If you’re around young children, they usually go through at least one stage where every question asks “why?” If you don’t have a satisfying answer, they keep asking “why.” After awhile an exasperated adult may fire back, “because I said so!” which is a very unsatisfying answer to both children and adults.
I heard a teaching recently about the “Mystery of God,” in which the speakers were claiming that there really weren’t any mysteries of God because he wants to reveal himself to us. Basically, if we ask, he will reveal things. I’m not sure I can completely discount the idea of part of God being a mystery to us, but maybe we name things as “mystery” because we haven’t asked for revelation yet. After all, Jesus told us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV) We are supposed to ask God our questions, to ask him to reveal himself to us.
A simple concordance search turns up plenty of Bible verses that talk about how God reveals things to different people.
“I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.” – God (Isaiah 43:12 NIV)
“As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.” – Daniel (Daniel 2:30 NIV)
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” – Jesus (John 17:6 NIV)
So, what are your questions? What do you want God to reveal to you?
Ask.
Seek.
Knock.
And believe he will respond. Because he will; that is his nature. He will reveal himself to you.
God of Mystery and Revelation,
How good, delightful, and fitting it is to sing praises to our God! You heal the brokenhearted, call the stars by name, and reveal yourself to your people. How great is our Lord whose power is absolute and whose understanding is beyond comprehension! Thank you for revealing your Word to your people and inviting us to ask, seek, and knock when we have questions. Help us to seek you in all things, to wait with patience for your answers, and to understand what you reveal to us. Holy Spirit, guide us in all truths for you are our God, our Savior, our Guide, and our Hope. We ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:5 NIV)
“The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” (Psalm 98:2 NIV)
“How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem
and bringing the exiles back to Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!” (Psalm 147:1-5 TPT)
“He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.
He has not done this for any other nation;
they do not know his regulations.
Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 147:19-20 TPT)