The secret place
There are moments when we hear or see something that breaks God's heart. It may be a story of suffering, a family in crisis, a community in need, or the growing darkness around us. In those moments, we have a choice. We can become overwhelmed, or we can respond the way Nehemiah did.
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)
Nehemiah's first response was prayer, not action. He entered the secret place. He fasted. He prayed. He confessed both his own sin and the sin of his people. And he asked God for favor in the place where God had positioned him.
The secret place is where God gives us what we cannot find anywhere else.
It’s where we receive strength, wisdom, peace, and clarity for the next step. It’s where God shapes our priorities and aligns our hearts with His own.
After praying, Nehemiah returned to his ordinary responsibilities. He faithfully served the king while quietly carrying God's burden in his heart. Then the opportunity came.
“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.’” Nehemiah 2:4-5 (NIV)
Nehemiah was afraid, yet he spoke with courage because God had prepared him long before the conversation ever began.
“..And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” Nehemiah 2:8 (NIV)
What happened in the throne room was the result of what had already happened in the prayer room.
“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” Proverbs 21:1 (NIV)
Nehemiah was mocked. He was questioned. He was even accused of rebelling against the king. Yet he refused to be distracted. His confidence rested in God's calling, not in the opinions of those who opposed the work. Jesus never promised a life free from resistance. Instead, He gave us a place to remain.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 (NIV)
As Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He repeatedly called them to abide in Him. To remain. To dwell. To make their home in His presence.
Fruit grows from abiding.
When we stay close to Jesus, obedience becomes our response, not our burden. Peace replaces striving. Every assignment God gives begins in the secret place and is sustained by abiding.
Sit before Him first. Listen for His voice. Let Him shape your heart before He directs your hands. The strategies, courage, and clarity you need are found in His presence.
And when the time comes to step forward, you can do so with confidence, knowing that the gracious hand of God goes before you.
