“The Key to the Secret Place”

 
INTRODUCTION
      That man King David sure knew how to praise!  I mean, after all, he wrote most of the Psalms in our Scriptures.  Although not all are hymns of praise, many do reveal the heart of a man who sincerely loved the Lord and longed to be closer to Him.  I guess that is the key, isn’t it? 
      We wonder why certain believers appear to thoroughly enjoy praise.  Could it be they have some insight into the splendor of God?  Or maybe they have been forgiven much.  Or possibly they have received a heavy dose of God’s grace and mercy.  Or could be they are forever grateful for their new life in Christ.  Or perhaps they experience perfect peace and joy in God’s presence.  Or conceivably they have found a secret place of refuge. 
      For many Christians, that type of intimacy with God is only a distant dream.  They cannot really imagine themselves so fully engaged in the worship of God.  That doesn’t mean they are not intrigued (they are).  They may have their moments with God, but they tend to be few and far between.  After all, it’s not their style, or it doesn’t seem so necessary.  Most of the time they simply do not “feel” like it.  Some are embarrassed.  Others are shy.
      Several see it as a “don’t have to; don’t want to” scenario.  They do not see a reason for so much time spent in the presence of God.  They are definitely not envious of those who participate in the party of praise.  As a matter of fact, they would not accept the invitation if asked…maybe.  Oh, they might attend for the sole reason of being an interested bystander of the proceedings and to see who else attended, but nothing more…probably.  At least this is what they tell themselves.  This is what they try to convince their hearts and minds and emotions which are all crying out as a result of an unquenched thirst and an unsatisfied hunger for the God who created them and continuously calls for them.    
 
THE KEY
            Everyone searches for a secret key that will unlock their heart for worship.  I have good news for you, in this case there is a key for unlocking the mystery of praise and worship.  That’s right.  And I am here to unveil it to you today.  Oh my!  Actually, I have already disclosed the secret…just now.  Ah, I am sure you caught it.  It will not be a surprise after all!  Oh, you are not sure what I am referring to?  I just said it, “everyone searches for a secret key that will what?  Unlock their heart for worship.”  There it is, the hidden key, the secret code.  
            You do get it now…right?  The key IS to truly, intentionally unlock our hearts and allow the one true God to gain full access…to permit our hearts to love and adore the Savior of our souls…to wholly surrender our minds, emotions, and will to the Comforter, the Spirit of God.  And each of us has our own private code. 
 
SECRET PLACE
No one else has the ability to unlock it.  We have our own personal, secret place of mystery where we bask in the almighty God’s presence.  Oh, you don’t think so?  Psalm 91:1, “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (KJV). 
            Didn’t we all, as children, have a place we could go to “get away” or “feel secure” or “hide from the outside” or “be at peace?”  Maybe it was our own bedroom or an outdoor hideout in the woods or grandma’s house or curled up and falling asleep next to mom or dad or immersed in a book or our very own “make believe” fantasy land.  Some translate “secret place” as “shelter” or “safe place.”  Now through Jesus Christ we have a place where we can go at any time, a shelter, a safe place, a getaway, a hideout from the cruel world, a place to experience pure and unconditional love, a place of perfect peace and serenity under the shadow of the sheltering arms of the Almighty. 
            It is locked so that no one else in the entire world will interrupt your personal time with the Almighty.  It is locked so you will at all times know it is a safe place.  No one else can gain access, not to your secret place.  Oh true, others have found their own undisclosed getaway places with God, but it’s not YOUR place!  This one is reserved exclusively for you.  God is eagerly awaiting your rendezvous.    
 
CONCLUSION
You are the only one with a key.  You might call it a “key of faith.”  Faith in Jesus Christ unlocks the door to the mysteries of God, the Holy of Holies.  Fair warning…once you enter, you will never want to leave.  The food is delicious.  The hospitality is first rate.  The atmosphere is electric.  The mood is peaceful.  When you first enter, you will be amazed.  When you spend some time there, you will be energized.  When you exit, you will be changed.  One thing is for sure…everyone else will know that you have been in your secret place!