“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.”~ Matt. 6:6
It's been said, the most important part of any Christians life is the part only God sees. If there are no witnesses, there is no motive for us to glory before men. I think the less we are praised by our peers the safer we will be from satanic inflation. I find many a saint has lost their holiness listening to men’s praise of them. It seems some cannot function for the Lord unless there is a constant barrage of cheers and applause. We need to learn that "Hosannas" can turn to "Crucify Him," over night.
Dr. Bob Jones Sr. used to say, “A compliment is like perfume, it is to be sniffed, not swallowed.”
Jesus warned those of His day of the great danger in seeking the accolades of men. "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" Somewhere along the way, we saints got it into our heads doing great external exploits would make us great in God's Kingdom. But it is not what others see in public, but what God "seeth in secret," says our Lord.
It was undetected to all eyes, except God's, when the young shepherd boy, David, killed both a lion and a bear with his bare hands, no less. Only out of necessity was it ever made known. And what of the widow and the pot of oil? It was when she "shut the door," leaving only her and her boys, secluded with God, that the miraculous took place.
And so it is with us. When we enter our closets, shutting the door behind us, alone with God in secret that the groundwork is laid for the unthinkable and unbelievable great things God is going to do, for all eyes to see! "
We are to always be in the wings, the spotlight is to be forever upon "HIM"; the eternal, "BRIGHT STAR!"
Outstanding, Dad. Thank you so much.