The Secret Place

 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:6

6 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.  Matthew 6:6 NKJV

Pray in the Secret Place

In reading the gospels, we find it was not uncommon for Jesus to distance Himself from the group to spend time in prayer.  However, being keenly aware of the fragility of their faith, Jesus knew the people would fall under distress without the comfort of His physical presence.

Therefore, He purposefully chose to seek private time with the Father during the moments His absence would least likely be noticed (i.e., in the wee hours of the morning, or when the disciples couldn’t keep their eyes open).

Jesus sought the Lord in secret.

 

He Sees You in Secret

Fanny Crosby is responsible for writing nearly 9,000 hymns, some of which are still well known today, such as:

• All the Way My Savior Leads Me
• Draw Me Nearer
• Blessed Assurance
• Saved by Grace
• Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Throughout her long list of compositions, however, we find no reference to the fact that she was physically blind – the result of medical malpractice at only 6 weeks of age.

How humbling it is to sing such bold, illustrative lyrics, including the line, “visions of rapture now burst on my sight,” (found in the second verse of her most widely known hymn, “Blessed Assurance”), written out of the faith of a blind woman!

Below is Fanny’s description of her hymn writing process:

“It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.”

Source: Christianity.com

 

Though Fanny Crosby lacked physical eyesight, it seems the Lord blessed her with His vision as she took the time to seek Him in the secret place.

He Will Reward You Openly

You might be thinking, “Yeah, this is great and all, but I’m not that creative…” or, “I just don’t have that level of faith…” However, I want you to consider this:

A blind woman bowed in prayer to God, asking for His help in writing a song – period.

What did God do in response?

Well, He gave heavenly visions to a blind woman, of course.  Then He turned that one song into 9,000.

What might God be waiting to bless you with today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us hearts that seek You first – away from the world and its distractions.  Open our eyes to see the infinite blessings You are ready and willing to give us.  Finally, may we recognize the privilege it is to spend time in Your Presence.  Thank You, Lord.  I pray these things in the Mighty Name of Jesus.  Amen and hallelujah!