Monday, June 3, 2019

"In Secret"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"In Secret"

   

   The mother of a dear friend went to be with our Lord last week.  Mrs. Plash was 90 years old, and lived a life of devotion to the Lord and to people.  I saw her rarely, but she had such an impact that I told my friend, "Whenever I saw your mother, it made me want to toe the line a little closer!"  I know she had that effect on a lot of people as through Christ, Mrs. Plash encouraged and challenged us to climb higher, dive deeper, and go further unto a life lived for the glory of God.

   "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

   Her obituary mentioned another powerful aspect of Mrs. Plash's ongoing legacy, this regarding her devotion to seeking God in prayer for others: "Many never knew of her prayers for them."  I find that one of the most powerful statements about prayer I have ever heard, and one that calls us to the privacy regarding communion with our Heavenly Father commanded by the Lord Jesus:

   "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:6).

   Certainly there are times when it may be fine to mention to people that we are praying for them.  It can be a great encouragement to know that someone cares about us enough to name our names before the Throne of grace.  However, the preponderance of our praying should remain private.  A.W. Tozer once wrote that gaining a reputation for prayer can be one of the worst things that can happen to a believer.  Few can resist the temptation to pride and self importance that accompanies such notoriety.  Indeed, the reputation may originate in the pray-er frequently mentioning his or her communion with God that is best practiced "in secret."

   This was not the case with Mrs. Plash.  Allow me to repeat, "Many never knew of her prayers for them."  I find this completely, utterly sublime.  Even more, I find this to be yet another encouragement and challenge that blesses us by Mrs. Plash's legacy.  She prayed.  She prayed privately, thereby seeking His glory and the blessing of others in ways they never even knew.  Yet again, our dear sister makes me want to toe the line a little closer, this time to the Throne of grace to follow her example of private communion with God and intimate intercession for others.  

   A final point.  As I conclude, the thought occurs to me that I may be in trouble with Mrs. Plash.  She didn't want attention for her praying during her lifetime, and she may not be happy that I mention it now.  Uhoh!  I nevertheless take the chance, and will face the music with her when I see her in Heaven!  I find Mrs. Plash's  Christ-empowered legacy far too blessed to ignore.  "Many never knew of her prayers for them."  May we follow in the wake of our dear sister's influence, and the example she leaves of countless approaches to the Heavenly Throne where she secretly sought God's grace and mercy for those she loved.  

"Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake."
(Psalm 115:1)

Weekly Memory Verse
   "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake."
(Psalm 115:1)




  






















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