The Secret Place

It's interesting that in Matthew 6, Jesus teaches that giving, fasting and prayer should be done in secret.

In reference to these three things, He says, do them in secret. "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

There is a place of hiddenness, a secret place, where God builds character, in order that the man of His choosing might be able to carry the anointing. It is a place where away from the gaze of others, He builds a deep foundation in His children, in order that they may carry His giftings.

It was so with Elijah, whom God hid at the Brook Cherith and in the widow's house for 3 years, before he came forth in power to take on the prophets of Baal on a single day.

It was so for Moses, who was hidden in the desert for 40 years, before he was used as an instrument to liberate the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery.

It was so for Jesus, whose preparation took 30 years, for 3 years of public ministry.

I like this quote by Leonard Ravenhill on the prophet.

"He walks before men for days but has walked before God for years."

It is in the place of hiddenness, the secret place, in communion with the Lord that God prepares His children to do mighty exploits.

It is only they that know their God who do mighty exploits for Him (Daniel 11:32). Would it be that we are a people of the secret place.

Blessings (Laura Story)

Blessings

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?