We can never come to know God deeply with shallow conversation. Intimacy with Him requires development and cultivation. The deepest working of the Holy Spirit comes during the time spent alone in His presence.
When we set time aside for fellowship with God, we are entering into the richest experience of the Christian life. We were created for fellowship with Him. This alone satisfies the desire of both mankind and God. The fellowship and deep working of the Spirit is richest when we are set apart from things that clutter our minds.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Sometimes it may feel as though we must drag ourselves into the presence of God. Even when we are physically alone, our minds can be racing in many directions. We can easily waste that precious time with God by letting our minds wander. But Jesus said to enter the chamber and shut the door. Close the door of your mind on distractions that draw your attention away from Him and bring your mind under control.
Worship is one of the most powerful ways to bring our entire being into an attitude of receptiveness to God. As we enter into a time of fellowship with God, we can begin by worshiping Him by singing a worshipful song, or speaking our adoration to Him out loud. Soon we will find that all of those things clamoring in our minds will take their rightful place — outside the door of our inner chamber. This is not time for our requests, but rather to simply enter His presence, enjoy His fellowship, listen for His promptings, and obtain the childlike assurance that our Father is near.
It is in these times of closeness to God that we have the greatest understanding of His willingness to be involved in our lives. Our confidence will gain new strength, our emotions will be established, and our appreciation for all that He is will deepen. We can trust Him as never before because we know Him as never before.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 provides us with a beautiful description of the one who has learned to trust God:
“But happy is he who relies on the Eternal, with the Eternal for his confidence! He is like a tree planted beside a stream, reaching its roots to the water; untouched by any fear of scorching heat, its leaves are ever green, it goes on bearing fruit in days of drought, and lives serene” (Moffatt).
Our time in the inner chamber causes our roots to reach deep into God. Deep roots make strong, healthy trees. In fact, most trees have as much under the ground in a root system as they do above the ground in branches and leaves.
The root represents our private life with God. The leaves are the public life that others see. When our private fellowship is developed it will be evident as we minister and deal with people publicly.
