Strong’s says that the biblical Greek word mystery means truth revealed. God hid His plans from the rulers of this world. 1 Corinthians 2:8 says, “…had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. Matthew 13:11 says, “…Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

1 Peter 1:10 says that the prophets searched diligently. Verse 11 says, “Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” 

He revealed to them that it was to us not them. For example, Daniel 12:9 says, “…Go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed tell the time of the end.” We live in His revealed truth.

Again we will use Paul as an example. He had a hard trial. He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove his thorn in the flesh. The Lord did not answer that prayer. Instead He empowered Paul with these words. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

Paul got it. He wrote, “…Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” A humble heart is the inward acknowledgement of our dependence on the Lord.

Ephesians 3:16 Amplified says, “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the (Holy) Spirit (Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality).”

Ephesians 1:19-20 says that His mighty power in us is the resurrection power God used to raise Jesus from the dead. Hallelujah! 

Our hard trials are a present reminder of how dependent we are. No matter what we go through, our flesh suffers. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”

Verses 17-18 says that our light afflictions are working for us, if we do not focus on what is temporary. Rather we are to focus on eternal things. Paul is an excellent example for us. He chose to rejoice in his sufferings.

His rejoicing was rooted in the truth of Christ’s suffering. As Christ suffered in His flesh, so we suffer in our physical bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:10 says, “Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” How does that work? Depending on Him in every aspect of our lives.

There is only One we are to depend on. Let John 15:5 be emblazoned on our hearts. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Yet Paul boldly proclaimed, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

We often fall into the trap of self-dependence. It always ends in disaster. I started to memorize Colossians 1:24. Paul wrote, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you…” He wrote this to a church he did not start. He loved the folks there because of their faith, their love for others, their hope, and their fruit. 

He reminded them in verse 21 that they were once alienated and enemies in their minds. Yet Jesus gave His fleshly body as a sacrifice. He suffered in His flesh to bear the sins of the world. Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…”

This truth is amplified in Psalm 2:4 which says of those who oppose Him. “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” I have this verse taped to my refrigerator door to pray. Psalm 33:10 says, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.”

1 Corinthians 15:28 says, “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

The earth that He created, and all the things man has added over the years are in His hands. 2 Peter 3:10-11 says, “…both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved…” Verse 14 says, “…be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”

Our God knows all things. There is nothing in our lives that He is not aware of. If you have hidden sin, let this verse be an awakening. Hebrews 4:13 Amplified says, “And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.”

Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” According to Psalm 103:10, mercy is not getting what we deserve. 

We may sin against others, but in truth we have sinned against God. David’s words come from a heart that was convicted. He tried to hide his sin with Bathsheba, but the Lord’s eyes saw it all.

Psalm 51:4 says, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight…”