Secret Fellowship
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of stillness and secret fellowship with God to discern His will and experience His love.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of seeking God's guidance and direction in times of doubt and difficulty. He emphasizes the need to be still in God's presence, study His Word attentively, and wait for His secret counsel to be revealed. Through intimate fellowship with God, we can discern His will and experience a deeper insight into His nature and love. By standing still, being patient, and allowing God to work in us, we can witness His miraculous deliverance and be led to a place of peace and satisfaction.
Text
"Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa. 30:21).
When we are in doubt or difficulty, when many voices urge this course or the other, when prudence utters one advice and faith another, then let us be still, hushing each intruder, calming ourselves in the sacred hush of God's presence; let us study His Word in the attitude of devout attention; let us lift up our nature into the pure light of His face, eager only to know what God the Lord shall determine--and ere long a very distinct impression will be made, the unmistakable forth-telling of His secret counsel.
It is not wise in the earlier stages of Christian life to depend on this alone, but to wait for the corroboration of circumstances. But those who have had many dealings with God know well the value of secret fellowship with Him, to ascertain His will.
Are you in difficulty about your way? Go to God with your question; get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal.
If you will only get alone, where the lights and shadows of earth cannot interfere, where human opinions fail to reach and if you will dare to wait there silent and expectant, though all around you insist on immediate decision or action--the will of God will be made clear; and you will have a new conception of God, a deeper insight into His nature and heart of love, which shall be for yourself alone a rapturous experience, to abide your precious perquisite forever, the rich guerdon of those long waiting hours. --David
"STAND STILL," my soul, for so thy Lord commands:
E'en when thy way seems blocked, leave it in His wise hands;
His arm is mighty to divide the wave.
"Stand still," my soul, "stand still" and thou shalt see
How God can work the "impossible" for thee,
For with a great deliverance He doth save.
Be not impatient, but in stillness stand,
Even when compassed 'round on every hand,
In ways thy spirit does not comprehend.
God cannot clear thy way till thou art still,
That He may work in thee His blessed will,
And all thy heart and will to Him do bend.
"BE STILL," my soul, for just as thou art still,
Can God reveal Himself to thee; until
Through thee His love and light and life can freely flow;
In stillness God can work through thee and reach
The souls around thee. He then through thee can teach
His lessons, and His power in weakness show.
"BE STILL"--a deeper step in faith and rest.
"Be still and know" thy Father knoweth best
The way to lead His child to that fair land,
A "summer" land, where quiet waters flow;
Where longing souls are satisfied, and "know
Their God," and praise for all that He has planned.
--Selected
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of stillness in God's presence - Listening for God's guidance - The contrast between human opinions and divine direction
- II points: - The value of secret fellowship with God - Seeking God's will in times of difficulty - The role of patience in understanding God's plans
- III points: - The transformative power of waiting on God - Experiencing God's love and light - The call to be still and trust in God's timing
- IV points: - The necessity of quietness for spiritual clarity - God's ability to work in stillness - The blessings of divine revelation
Key Quotes
“Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.” — Charles E. Cowman
“If you will only get alone, where the lights and shadows of earth cannot interfere...” — Charles E. Cowman
“God cannot clear thy way till thou art still, that He may work in thee His blessed will.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Set aside regular time for quiet reflection and prayer to hear God's voice.
- Practice patience in decision-making, trusting that God will reveal His will in His timing.
- Cultivate a deeper relationship with God through intentional moments of solitude and stillness.