The hidden word

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee;" Proverbs 2:1

In between the southern border of Russia and the northern border of China sits the 19th largest country in the world. For a period of just four minutes and seven seconds on March 29, 2006, citizens of western Mongolia were able to witness the most recent Total Solar Eclipse. Such a rare occurrence could not be missed as the moon passed between the earth and the sun to temporarily hide all natural light from our planet in that particular location. The Greeks spoke of things “hidden” through two very similar words, kalypto (from which we get eclipse and apocalypse) and krypto (from which we get cryptic and cryptography). Both have essentially the same meaning, but might help us in contemplating the extensive depths of what it means “to hide.”

In the Hebrew world that Solomon lived and wrote, his father can be quoted as saying: “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11 A key question should arise from both verses. If the “word” has been received, why should it be hidden? After all, if the “received word” includes beneficial truth for the world (such as the gospel or a note of wisdom), it seems only right that we would be quick to tell someone. Hidden words are not visible words, so why are they to be stored under lock and key? For the answer, we again turn to Solomon's father, the ever beloved King David: "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6 Look at the verse again.

Read it several times through. If the Word is not hidden deep within your heart, you will never know wisdom. It is not enough to simply "know" the Word or recite each verse from the memory of the mind. Hear the Word. Study the Word. Know the Word. But during the process, hide the Word inside. For only when the Truth is hidden in our hearts can it be applied.