“Then he turned to His disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.'” Luke 10:23-24
“May I speak with you privately please?” That is what I say to our children when they need guidance, correction or discipline when we are in a social or public setting. Though I need to speak with them immediately, I don’t want to humiliate them, so I ask to speak with them privately and then take them aside to speak with them one-on-one. “…he who loves his son disciplines him promptly.” Proverbs 13:24
They are still learning, and we tell them frequently, that “we guide, correct and discipline you because we love you and we delight in you.” “For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12 They may not get this completely yet, but as we tell them this loving truth over and over, we pray it sinks deep into their hearts and minds.
The Lord desires to speak with us privately every single day. As we make that time to meet with Him, He speaks privately to us through His Word, through prayer and through our quiet, attentive, yearning hearts.
His private words to me are always rooted in love and for my growth in Him. Sometimes the words are so sweet to my taste, like when He says something like He said to His disciplines in Luke 10: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…” Sometimes His words to me are bittersweet, convicting and challenging, during which times I ask for willingness, wisdom and humility to remain in His presence so I can receive a life-giving rebuke and gain understanding. “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:31-33
His private words are precious because they are about our relationship. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, my Brother and my Friend. It’s all about love. “I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’” John 21:15 “Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him. He takes us aside and asks us to reaffirm our love for Him. Peter must have wondered if he was capable of being Jesus’ disciple when he was unfaithful to Jesus in His crucial hour. Perhaps you have been unfaithful. Jesus will take you aide, as He did Peter. He will not berate you. He will not humiliate you. He will ask you to examine your love for Him. Jesus asks for your love. If your answer, like Peter’s, is ‘Yes, Lord,’ He will reaffirm His will for you. If you truly love Him, you will obey Him.” – Blackaby (“Experiencing God Day by Day” Devotional)
When I ask to speak to my children privately, it’s all about love and obedience. When the Lord speaks with me privately, it’s all about love and obedience. “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15
Jesus whispers to my heart every morning, “May I speak with you privately please?” By His grace, I want to yield and surrender my heart to Him every morning and every moment. Only by His grace, humility and strength.
He wants to speak privately to you, too. Quiet your heart and mind before Him. He whispers words of love for you.
“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”
Matthew 14:13