The Secret Place, Part Two: A Call to the Table
Throughout scripture we find God continually inviting his beloved to The Secret Place of intimacy and encounter. When we respond willingly to the Lord’s voice for connection, we allow an open door for Jesus to walk through and commune personally with his bride.
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38 (NIV)
One of my favorite illustrations of the Secret Place in all of Scripture is the story of a young Samuel hearing the audible voice of God calling his name in the night three times but mistaking God’s voice repeatedly for his mentor Eli’s. Finally, Eli realized it was God calling Samuel’s name out and this is what he told him: “So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” 1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)
This picture of a young Samuel lying down before the Lord, asking Him to speak, and eagerly listening for the voice of God, is one beautiful description of what it looks like to wait quietly in the secret place.
I love the way the psalmist described his escape to communing with God:
“My heart has heard you say, “come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, Lord I am coming.” Psalm 27:8.
The God of all creation and eternity calls to your heart personally, just like He did with King David, and He is inviting you to slip away for a private meal. In Revelation Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20
What an incredible invitation Jesus extends to us! How generous is our God that he didn’t just save us and leave us on our own but intentionally seeks us out to have a private and personal encounter with just Him. The Bible says that the Lord even shares His secrets and confides in His friends (Psalm 25:14). When we sit with listening ears before the King we are given the privilege of being secret keepers of God!
As believers, we always have open access to Jesus through the Holy Spirit, but there is a deeper place of intimacy that God is also calling us into still. Paul says it, like this, “Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love” (Ephesians 5:2). We have a private invitation as believers to keep company with the God of the Universe. What an incredible thought!
Beloved, when Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, inviting you to commune with Him once more, will you make up your mind right now that your response will be like that of King David’s, “Lord, I am coming.”?
Prayer
Father God, thank you that intimacy with your bride was of such utmost importance that you gave your only son Jesus so I could have full access to your presence. I thank you that your love for me does not depend upon my performance, but on the perfect performance of Jesus Christ. Your communion is sweet and rich and deep. May I stay present to your voice and may my heart be responsive to your invitations for intimacy. Your love awaits me in the secret place where deep calls out to deep.
