In the ‘60s, the TV drama, Mission Impossible, starred a cast of spies presented with a, well, impossible mission on a tape (which would self-destruct in 5 seconds), should they decide to accept it. It was always a harrowing series of twists and turns, threatening the lives of our heroes. How they were planning to thwart the bad guys was always kept hush-hush, but within 60 minutes, the caper was successfully resolved with our beloved spies congratulating each other – till the next time. Their panache, their confidence, was just so ‘I wanna be like them’ to watch! (I think I inhaled all 171 episodes – to no avail).
God’s Word, on a superficial read, is an unsearchable mystery, too. Upon a deeper, second read however, it provides plenty of revelations about what will be. Sometimes these spoiler alerts point to people and events centuries in advance! Just like for our Mission Impossible heroes, every step to victory is in place, even while the ‘how’ remains hidden from us. The Old Testament era writings of the prophets are rich with ‘coded’ future plans, many of which are unveiled only in Jesus. Solomon, endowed with incredible wisdom, records in Prov. 25:2,3, NIV: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.” In other words, we are to embrace the mystery.
Through His prophets, God consistently tells rebellious Israel, if they turn back to Him, He will restore them. “’The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their forefathers to possess,’ says the Lord.” Jer. 30:4, NIV. “They (the cities of Judah) will be filled with the dead bodies of the men I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city (Jerusalem) because of all its wickedness. Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” Jer. 33:5,6, NIV. King David knew: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”Psalm 103:8-10, NIV. Like an ideal parent, God punishes disobedience, but simultaneously plans for, and initiates, restoration of relationship. Hallelujah! Looking forward to seeing all you loved, restored, and being restored, children of God tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM FR. PD
