A Secret Place - Martin Wiles

As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:22 NLT

He was a master at making and discovering a secret place.

My maternal grandparents lived in an old farmhouse. My first cousin and his family lived a stone’s throw away. When I spent time visiting my cousin, we normally spent most of our time at our grandparents’ house. During one of my visits, he showed me his most recent discovery. Just above the small closet door in the kitchen was a hidden door.

What greeted us when we opened it was a spiral staircase. Naturally, we wanted to explore. Up we went into a dusty cavern. My hopes for discovering hidden treasure were dashed. Rolls and rolls of player-piano music was all we mined. No doubt once used on my grandmother’s old player piano that had been converted to a playable piano.

I wonder now what this secret room was used for: storage, a room for unruly children, an extra bedroom, or perhaps a secret place to hide runaway slaves. Although we didn’t know the purpose, we had uncovered yet another secret place.

Moses was sometimes overwhelmed by his God-given task of leading millions of people across a wilderness to the Promised Land. He wanted assurance of God’s guidance. On this occasion, he asked to see God’s presence as proof. God didn’t allow Moses to see his face, but he did place Moses in a secret place as he passed by: the cleft of a rock. 

Every believer needs their secret place. I have mine, and it’s not always the same place. It’s the place I go where God and I can be alone. A quiet place where I can hear God speak to me by his Spirit. A recliner in the early morning hours, a bench in a park, the bank of a pond, the top of a mountain peak, or a chair in the backyard.

The spot we choose isn’t as important as our frame of mind when we go there, along with our purpose for being there. Secret places are for seeking God’s face and his plan and for renewing our resolve to serve him and others faithfully. Secret places are essential for good spiritual health, so we should visit them often.  

Where is your secret place, and what makes it special?

Father, show me Your presence in a fresh way when I meet with You in our secret place. 

Tweetable: Where is your secret place? 

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