Proverbs 25:1-2
These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
God in his glory transcends the ability of man to know all his ways. He must come down to man to reveal even a part of his nature and his will. His glory is impressed upon us because of his mystery. Even as we grow in knowledge of him, we are filled all the more with wonder as we realize how little we know. One great wonder is God’s knowledge. He knows all things. He does not search out knowledge as we do. When Scripture applies such language to God, it is not meaning that he must learn what he does not know, but rather is impressing upon us that we and nothing can escape God. Such is his glory.
For the king, and anyone placed in a position of authority, his glory is displayed not in what he conceals but in his ability and zeal to know what is taking place under his rule. The wicked conceal their wicked behavior. It is the task of the righteous king to find them out. The oppressed suffer without help; it is the king’s role to see them and come to their aid. It is the glory of the king to find good people and place them in responsible positions. It is the king’s glory to search out what is good and bring it to light.
Before the king can act, he must know. And to know, he must search. Are you searching? Are you looking to know what is going on about you so that you can act responsibly? Are you searching for what is true, what is honorable? Are you searching for what is wicked so you can avoid it yourself and act to thwart it? It is the glory of everyone to be a searcher. What will you learn today?
Psalm 103
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.Praise the Lord, my soul.