Winter 1998
Seeking His Approbation
By Wade E. Taylor

"But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when
you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in
secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward
you openly." Matt 6:6.

The word "closet" is translated from a Greek word meaning "a storage chamber." Most translations use the word "room." This weakens the intent of the Lord, as anyone can easily find and enter a "room" to pray, but for us to enter a "closet" is quite a different matter.

We are living in the time of the Laodecian Church which, we are told, is "rich and increased with goods." Thus, our "closets" are full. As our closets - so also our lives are filled with demanding activities. Most of us are too busy to spend much time in prayer.

Thus, for us to enter our "closet" to pray requires that we actively and determinedly make room, where there is no room. For us to establish a "set apart time" for prayer, and then maintain this time, does not come easily.

This "set apart time" must constantly be contended for. Thus, we must have placed a high value on the time that we spend alone with the Lord, or it will be overtaken and replaced with activities - for, our closets are full.

A lady once heard me share this, and later told me that she had taken seriously what I had said. She literally emptied a closet, placed a chair within, entered and shut the door. There, she wonderfully met the Lord and later, excitedly shared her experience with me.

Our Lord is very sensitive about "room being made" for Him. When He was born into this world, there was "no room" in the inn. Thus, when anyone of us "actively makes room" for Him, He quickly notices and responds.

Our Lord seeing in secret and rewarding us openly speaks of His approbation, or divine favor resting upon our lives. The effort that we take to make "room" for Him is the key to His approbation resting upon our lives.