“This is my secret catfish spot,” Steve told me as we walked from the road to the riverbank. I had a brief assignment as a platoon commander at Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and Steve was my platoon sergeant. He was the typical gruff Marine Staff NCO (noncommissioned officer) to the candidates, but we had developed a close bond of friendship over the past few months.

Having been an enlisted Marine prior to being commissioned, I had gained some “street cred” with him. My assignment was ending, and we took this last opportunity to spend some time together before going our separate ways. I was honored that he was taking me to his “secret place”!

Most of us have a secret place where we like to go, and the reasons for going are as varied as the people who have them. The world is becoming smaller and more crowded, and finding a secret place is becoming a greater challenge. My secret place is anywhere I can go to spend intimate time with Jesus my King.

Jesus made mention of the “secret place” in the Sermon on the Mount:

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 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 6:5-6, KJV)

Jesus also discusses the acts of giving (verses 1-4) and fasting (verses 16-18) in secret as well. In every case, God’s reward is provided openly to those who live their lives secretly.

So, what exactly does that mean?

The Greek word translated “secret” in Matthew’s passage is kruptos, defined as “concealed, hidden, secret” (Young’s Concordance). The life that is pleasing to God is the one that comes to Him in the secret place to worship, to pray, and to fast. In Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of those who perform their acts openly to receive the praise of men. He tells us they have their reward. They may receive the praise of men, but they will not receive God’s commendation.

The spiritual life of the believer is rewarded in the inner sanctum. All that I am spiritually is formed in the inner sanctum where I meet God face to face. There is no other way. The Old Testament conveys this concept as well.

• “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.” (Psalm 25:14, KJV).
• “For the froward [‘perverse, perverted,’ Young’s Concordance] is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.” (Proverbs 3:32, KJV)
• “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7, ESV)

The Hebrew word translated “secret” in all of these verses is sod, defined as “secret, counsel” (Young’s Concordance).

The reason so many Christians lack spiritual vitality in their lives is because they do not meet God in the secret place. The reason so many pulpits lack God’s anointing is because so few pastors and teachers seek God in the secret place, choosing to receive the praise of men over the praise of God.

Christian apologist and author G.K. Chesterton famously stated: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”

The Christian life is impossible apart from the empowering work of God through the Holy Spirit. With God, all things are possible. When you meet Him in the secret place, He will tell you that and much, much more.

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!