Prepare in Private: Click | View Series Matthew 10:27—"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops." Usefulness is the great desire of our souls if we are disciples of Jesus. We believe that it will most surely be attained by our making known the gospel. We have full faith in "the foolishness of preaching." We feel that we have need to receive that gospel personally from the Lord himself, or we shall not know it so as to use it correctly. We must not run till we are prepared. This verse describes, and by implication promises, the needful preparation of heart. Our Lord will speak in our ear: he will commune with us in solitude.

Time alone with God is an honor

The disciple is associated very nearly with his Lord, and received into closest fellowship with him.

We see before us three important matters:

1. We are permitted to realize our Lord's presence with us personally.
He is still on speaking terms with us: still is he our Companion in the night, our Friend in solitude.
2. We are enabled to feel his word as spoken to us.
Immediately: "I tell you." Personal contact. Forcefully: "in the ear." Not as thundered from Sinai, but as whispered by "a still, small voice." Still, very effectually.
3. We are privileged to receive such communications again and again: "I tell you . . . you hear."
   • We need precept upon precept, line upon line.
   • Our Lord is willing to manifest himself to his own day by day.
   • We shall be wise to make occasions for hearing his voice in solitude, meditation, prayer, communion, etc.
   • We shall do well to use occasions of the Lord's own making, such as the Sabbath, sickness, the night-watches, etc.
   • We need for a thousand reasons this private tuition, this personal communication with our Commander-in-chief.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.