Understanding 'Secret'

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:  John 3:20-21

20 For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed. 21 But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God.”

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading:  Isaiah 9-10 Ephesians 3

Understanding 'Secret'

Matthew 6:6

6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

The first thing I think we need to realize when we read these words of Christ Jesus, "Go into your room", is that Jesus never had a 'room'.

The word room here is also translated as barn or granary. In other words, Jesus is telling us to go where we can shut the world out-to search for that place where no other person in the world can see and hear. Praying in public is hard for many but Christ Jesus wants us to hear that he understands that. He went off to 'lonely places to pray(Luke 5:16,Luke 6:12-13). Jesus wants us to experience God, His father, the way He did-alone-so we can walk as He did when we are among the people.

He said, "...close the door...". This is very important for us. We must learn how to completely shut the world out-sometimes the hardest part. We must consciously cut off any connection to the world so we are solely centered on communing with God our Father.

Then and only then we can pray in secret.

Our Father sees our hearts and knows our intentions as no other ever will. He rewards humility and truth and love with His joy-happiness found no other place-no other way-strength and resolve found in no other effort of ours on this earth.

This is Christ conforming-this is the root of our being changed into the image of Christ(Romans 8:29)-time spent alone in the embrace of our God. There is no substitution.

Only you can understand this secret, this private place God has for only you and Him. This is the place where we learn perfect peace-no judgement-no pressure-the heart of God for us.

Understand 'secret'.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

All that is in Your name is too high for my words or understanding. Your kingdom come in my life. Give me what I need for today-I cannot do without it. Forgive my endless weaknesses and take them away.

Precious and secret Father,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen