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.