LIGHT OF DIVINE SECRETS (6)

“And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing...?” – Genesis 18:17

Friends of God are favoured recipients of the LIGHT of DIVINE SECRETS: “And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?” (Gen.18: 17-18). The Lord intimated Abraham as a friend, with plans of impending Judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah, for him to intercede. In Isaiah 41:8, God called Israel “descendants of Abraham MY FRIEND.” King Jehoshaphat also said: “Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham YOUR FRIEND forever?” (2Chr.20:17). And apostle James – “And he was called the FRIEND of GOD” (Jam.2:23). This Patriarch was accorded the high honour of being called a “Friend of God.”

What intimate knowledge of some of heaven’s secrets this “Friend of God” had! As he turned aside from country, kith, and kin to become a pilgrim, he received great promises: “I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will cure him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen.12:1-3); “For all the land which you see I give to you and to your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth...” (Gen.13: 15-16a); “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates” (Gen.15:18b).

The promise to make of Abraham a great nation is fulfilled naturally in the Jews, and spiritually, in all people of faith – whether Jew or Gentile. Abraham himself was blessed temporally and spiritually, and his name obtained universal honor. The promise relating to the blessing and the cursing of those dealing with the Jews, has been grandly fulfilled in history even down to Hitler’s brutal massacre. It has invariably fared ill with the persecutors of Israel and well with those who have protected him. Abaraham was privy to these secrets!

Friendship is a reciprocal relationship between individuals who share a bond of mutual affection. Friends know, understand, like, and help each other; spend time together; and share interests and intimate secrets. Friendship is not fickle: “A friend loves at all times” (Pro.17:17). The beautiful thing is that those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour are already friends of God and more – children in His Family: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you FRIENDS, for all things that I heard from My father I have made known to you” (Jh.15:15). As Jesus’ friends, we’re entitled to partake of the Light of Divine Secrets!