The Secret Place

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matt. 6:6 NKJV)

 

What does your private prayer and devotional life look like? What do you focus on when you devote time with Jesus?

While fulfilling his ministry here on earth, there was a vast majority of people that sought Jesus.  And all had their reasons for pursuing him.  Most did so out of necessity, desperate for physical healing. While others sought him simply because he had previously fed them their daily meal. 

And then there were the select few that didn’t seek him for what he can do for them but sought him simply to see and hear him.  One such was a wealthy man named Zacchaeus.  

And he sought to see Jesus who he was… (Luke 19:3 KJV)

 

While in the prayer closet, try for some time to put your petitions aside, as urgent as they may be, and simply ask to encounter him.  Set your focus and attention on hearing him.  

 

...but could not because of the crowd…

So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, (vs. 3-4)

 

Zacchaeus had to be very intentional about getting away from the crowd.  He made preparation to eliminate as much distraction as possible.  

 

Likewise, our quiet times with God are best when we find the time of day when we're least likely to be overwhelmed with pressing tasks and thoughts that tend to crowd and consume our attention.   

 

Biblically, Abraham, David, Joshua, Jesus, along with many others found early in the morning to be that impeccable time when the mind is most clear and open to hear.  

 

Furthermore…

 

 And when Jesus came to the place… (vs. 5)

 

Prior to Jesus’ arrival, Zacchaeus had some waiting to do.  It’s amazing how many expect the words to leap off the pages immediately upon opening the Bible.   If you’re patient however he will single you out and speak directly to you. Just as he did for Zacchaeus…

 

 …he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. (vs.6)

The personalized word he gives you wants to abide in your heart.  In other words, make its home there.  Become embedded in your mind. It sooo grabs your attention that it’s not something you will forget you read within the next hour or two.  

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. (vs. 6 NLT)

 

Receiving a personalized word is always accompanied with excitement and joy that fills and overflows the heart.  the psalmist confirms …in your presence is fullness of joy…(Ps. 16:11)

 

 

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

 

The more of the word that becomes embedded in your mind, the more transformed of a person you will become.  It entirely remolds your character on the inside. It’s what the bible calls renewal of the mind, or the regeneration of the heart.  

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house (vs.9)

 

Salvation is when we are saved from our old sinful mind (nature) and given a new “regenerated“ Christ-like mind (nature).  

 

Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples. 

-Wisdom from Oswald Chambers

The most important thing you can do to fulfill your calling is to learn to hear and obey God's voice.

-John Bevere 

Supporting Text

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (Jn 15:7)

 

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: (Psa. 19:7)

 

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. ( Is. 43:3)

…early will I seek thee: (Ps. 63:1 KJV)

 

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35 KJV)