Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 7:
7 “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.” TPT
FATHER honors persistence. To persist means to continue steadily and firmly in the pursuit of any path or course; to abide. Why do we need to persist in the Secret Place? As we spend time there, we change to a higher state of maturity. Once we have changed sufficiently to receive what we ask, FATHER will joyfully respond to our requests. HE will not give or respond to anything which will move us to unrighteousness resulting in distancing ourselves from HIM. Jesus clarified this when He spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. 34 Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” TPT
Jesus also expressed this Truth in John chapter 15:
5 “I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. 6 If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned.
7 But if you live in life-union (abide) with me and if my words live powerfully (abide) within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done. 8 When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father! TPT
Many immature believers want the benefits of fruitfulness without the commitment required to receive. In FATHER’S great grace and tender mercy, HE will sustain us as we mature but at some point expects us to no longer be as children being tossed to and fro. The more time we spend in the Secret Place, the more we abide in HIS Word and place it above anything promoted by the world.
Jesus warned “when you live separated from me you are powerless.” In other translations, “without Me you can do nothing.” Why should we continue in life in a powerless state? The average person living in the world feels powerless to effect any change beneficial to him and his family. He feels like a pawn or a servant to the current system without any hope. This is not true in The Kingdom where Love, faith, and hope prevail!
Paul understood the importance of the inner man becoming dominant over the mind and body when he was led by The Holy Spirit to pray in Ephesians chapter 3:
14 So I kneel humbly in awe before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, 15 the perfect Father of every father and child in heaven and on the earth. 16 And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.
17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.
18–19 Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
Our persistence in reaching maturity has a reward surpassing anything and everything we could pursue on earth and unlocks the unsearchable riches in Heaven. Jesus is the Door and Love is the key. As we persist into full maturity as Sons and Daughters, we will bring those riches to earth and be a blessing to mankind. Agape Love will begin to cover the earth and destroy the wickedness in Its path.