Our Father's Dwelling Place

 Our Father's Dwelling Place

Matt.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.

In continuation of our study on the secret place,  today we'll meditate on it as the dwelling place of God, our Father.  The secret place is the place to find the Father. God doesn't dwell in the midst of rowdiness or chaos. He is a God of orderliness, seclusion, serenity and calmness.  Every prophet of old found Him in their moments of aloneness and separation. There are distractions out there in the crowd,  but Jesus the author and finisher of our faith will often withdraw from the crowd to a solitary place to commune with the Father.  

Luke.5.16 - But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer

Yes,  God is everywhere but His attention is mostly available for His chosen vessels in the secret place. Although, He ministers to the crowd openly but the disciples were taught the act of solutude, that's where He answers their many questions. He speaks in parable to the crowds but inside the dwelling place, He explains in clear terms to His disciples. If Jesus could develop the act of praying in the solitary place, to the extent of separating Himself for 40 days and nights alone in the wilderness before He began and also at Getsemane before He ended His earthly ministry, we should know it carries a great mystery that we all should unfold and emulate.

Matt.14.23 - And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. Mark.1.35 - The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.

Moses met Yahweh in the wilderness alone before He was commissioned to lead Israel after being a vagabond for almost 40 years. God taught Him a regular act of meeting with Him alone in the secret place for regular instructions on every issue about His calling and life. The secret place of God is a place of awe and reference. The experience of Elijah's encounter with God on Horeb the Mountain of the LORD is another case for further consideration. Ironical, the three representing, the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel, were together with the Father at the mountain of transfiguration. If you truly need the attention or regular fellowship with the Father, the secret place of prayer and meditation is His dwelling place. Seek Him there and You will find Him.

Heb.4.16 - So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

Readings: 1 Kgs 19:1-21; Exodus 3:1-14; Mark 1:32-37; Matt. 17:1-9.

Prayers: Lord of grace and mercy, help me to establish a personal permanent abode with You in the secret place of prayer where your sovereignty abounds for ever. Teach me to there abide until I see You face to face. I ask in Jesus Christ's name. Amen