I thoroughly enjoyed assembling this three-part series on the Secret Place of the Most High God and credit Bobby Conner for many of the points. 

We conclude by discussing the pathway to get there. I mentioned in To Know God’s Splendor the difference between visiting and habitating in God’s presence. Visiting is an occasional stop, whereas dwelling is to abide and live there. When we live in a place, we bring our stuff and settle in. We become familiar and learn our way around. We relax and get more from our time there. I could ask any of my friends what it feels like to be familiar with the Secret Place and they’d have a ready answer. Most of my readers know, too. We are blessed, indeed! 

Pathway to the Secret Place

1. Follow the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher and guide, so walk behind Him step by step (Hosea 2:14).  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21). 
2. Avoid Distraction ((Matthew 6:6). Put your phone away. Close the door. Turn off notifications. Keep a notepad handy to jot down tasks that come to mind then refocus on God.
3. Set your heart to focus (Philippians 4:8 and 4:13).
4.  Make time to get alone with God. Schedule time on your calendar ((Psalm 46:10).
5. Be quiet and listen to Him. What God has to say is far more important than what I have to say.

Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

⁹ And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

¹⁰ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], Philippians 3:8-10 AMPC. 

But I don’t hear anything when I talk to God, I’ve heard people lament. I’ve been there, too. James 4:8 says, Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. So come in faith, expecting to hear. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3) so begin your quiet time with heartfelt praises. 

So I went with him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps up the hillside, my beloved shepherd said to me, O my dove, while you are here in the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock, in the sheltered and secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

My heart was touched and I fervently sang to him my desire (Song of Solomon 2:14). 

Habitation is our goal. We want to dwell in the secret place, not just visit there. Visitation is a worthy aspiration (who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? Psalm 24:3) but habitation is our lifelong quest (see Psalm 15). Following the behavioral advice given in Psalm 15 will cause us to dwell there.  

Copyrighted image Kate Leach 2014

Personally, when I sing love songs of adoration to Jesus, His presence comes quickly. He truly is enamored with us and longs to commune together. Sharon Purser taught me to sing phrases from Song of Solomon/Song of Songs as a sure-fire way to attract God’s attention, so I do. It works! 

Sweet companionship with Jesus is the number one reason/motivation to come to the Secret Place. 

God knows our hearts, so it’s useless to feign admiration if you don’t feel it. Come honestly from wherever you are, but come. Talk to Him about where you are. Feel the release of your burdens as you lay them down at His feet. Let Him carry them. Then as you sense the relief of lightness, begin to sing to Him. Tell Him how worthy He is. His loving-kindness and faithfulness require our tributes of honor.  

Time in the Secret Place changes our selfish ambition into a desire to build His Kingdom on earth while transforming us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). It attunes our inner ear to His voice, intensifies His voice, builds trust and unlocks hidden wisdom (Proverbs 8:12). God reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him! (Daniel 2:22). Do you want to be an overcomer and receive God’s divine secrets?  Go where God is! 

How did you like this series? Share in the comments what time in God’s presence has meant to you over the years. Would you add any tips to my five-point pathway list? Readers are interested and so am I!

Blessing of the Lord be upon you,

Kathryne

Categories: Devotionals Inspiration Intimacy with God Song of Songs Talking with God The Secret Place

Tagged as: accessing God's presence Bobby Conner habitating in God intimacy with God intimately aquainted with Jesus knowing Christ Knowing God mountain of the Lord pathway to God Psalm 91 sweet companionship with Jesus The Secret Place

Kathryne

Christian author and inspirational speaker of truth that makes the darkness tremble. Author of two non-fiction books at https://linktr.ee/TattooedKing