THE SECRET PLACE (12)

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” – 1 Peter 5:6

The earnest and fervent pursuit of God in THE SECRET PLACE must be wedded to a gentle and humble spirit: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet.5:6). Humility is the foundation of prayer. Humility says, “Lord, I am empty without Your fullness; I am broken without Your wholeness; I am helpless without Your Strength; and clueless without Your Wisdom. Apart from You I am nothing. I need You. I need You so desperately that I am pouring myself out to You here in the Secret Place.”

Prayerlessness is the first sign of prideful independence. When we are feeling great about ourselves, energetic and optimistic about our future, and confident about the path we’re taking, the tendency is to begin to trim back on our secret time with God. It’s the first sign of getting full of ourselves. Owning up to our limited knowledge and wisdom, could drive us back to our knees, back to the Source of all wisdom, back to “the only Wise God.” Once we see His greatness and our bankruptcy, there comes great joy in humbling ourselves before the Lord.

David wrote, “O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory” (Psa.108:1). He was referring here to the Secret Place, as this term “my heart is steadfast” always connoted his personal commitment to being alone with his God. He abandoned his heart to God, so he said, “with my glory.” David’s glory was the sum total of his attainments: The glory of a king – wealth, honour, prestige, dignity, splendour, and power; plus the glory of being a psalmist and a prophet. He took all that God had given him and made him, and presented it to God in song and praise. What a privilege to lay all our life attainment at His feet in profound awareness of His all-surpassing greatness!

The elders cast their crowns at the foot of the throne with great delight (Rev.4:10). They take what represents the aggregation of their achievements and throw it all down at the feet of Him from whom it all first proceeded. He gave it to us that we might give it all back to Him. He is everything, and as we are joined to Him, the poverty of our personal identity is lost in the fullness of His eternal greatness. God dignifies us with salvation, sonship, acceptance, purpose, significance, royalty, wisdom, wealth, honour, revelation, understanding, character, and holiness, so that we might enjoy the highest privilege of casting it all at His feet!

What a holy privilege is ours to come into the Throne room of God’s Presence and empty ourselves of all dignity by prostrating ourselves before Him, worshipping Him with our entire being. Let’s throw ourselves at His feet today; He is worthy of the Highest Praise!