Today I want to talk about the chamber. What place is that? In the story of Joseph, we see what he did in Genesis 43:29-30 (NKJV)–29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”30 Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. The Hebrew word for chamber is (ḥeder) -chamber, innermost or inward part, parlor, within. The word means a “compartment” or “room” (within a building) that affords privacy- ḥeder mainly designates a room where people, even rulers, can find privacy -Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, we see in Matthew 6:6 where Jesus talks about the right motive in prayer. He tells us to enter the closet or chamber. The Greek word is tameion : denotes, firstly, “a store-chamber,” then, “any private room, secret chamber,” Matt. 6:6; RV, “inner chamber” Vine’s Expository. A chamber is an enclosed space, often where a specific event usually takes place — such as a sleeping chamber or a torture chamber. The history of the word chamber is an interesting one. The Latin word for room was camera. The original word for camera was camera obscura, or “dark chamber,” since it was a big black box. A chamber can be where the Government makes decisions and performs its assignments. Congress has two chambers: The Senate and the House of Representatives, with upper and lower chambers. We have the Chamber of Commerce that helps community businesses. A Judge goes into his chamber to review evidence and cases. You may know that our heart has four chambers. The upper chambers receive incoming blood the lower chambers pump blood out. Like the physical heart, the “spiritual heart is comprised of four chambers: Will, Intellect, Spirit, and Emotions.” The ancient Greek word “room” was used for a storeroom where treasures were kept.
Here are some translations:
- Matthew 6:6 (KJV)-6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
- Matthew 6:6 (PassionNTPsa)-6 But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.
- Mat 6:6 (JMNT) “Now as for you, individually, whenever you may by habit be praying, enter into your storeroom (or: barn; granary; chamber) and, upon shutting (locking; barring) your door (or: gate), pray to your Father – the One within the hidden [realm; place]. So then your Father – the One continuously seeing within the secret [realm; place] – will continue giving back to and in you (or: = giving in answer for your expectation; or: will habitually be paying you).
We know in context Jesus is addressing the religious leaders of the day in how they prayed. There were two main places where a Jew in Jesus’ day might pray hypocritically. They might pray at the synagogue at the time of public prayer, or on the street at the appointed times of prayer (9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.). One of the points Jesus is bringing out is that prayer is not about being heard or seen praying. Some like to show off their so called spirituality in how well they pray. What is more important to be heard by men or God?
Prayer is about a relationship. A place of intimacy.
Sure there are times to pray with other people, even in public settings like Church. I think our public prayer’s impact comes from our personal and private time in the chamber. I like when Jesus tells us to enter the chamber and shut the door. In our culture, we have so many distractions. We have so many things demanding our attention. We need to learn to shut off our minds from all the distractions and focus on God and His Word. We must determine what our priorities must be if we are going to be strong, fruitful, and faithful children of God. We are commanded to pray. Here are a few:
- 1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)-8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NKJV)-16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,
- Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)-2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
- 1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)-1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
We are to pray to the Father Jesus said. Thank God we can come boldly now to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16 ). 1 Peter 3:12a (NKJV)-12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; This is a beautiful thing. That God sees us and hears our prayer. How wonderful is that? This chamber experience shouldn’t be taken lightly. We open the door, we enter in and we shut the door. We enter a place of intimacy with our Father. Another thing Jesus said about our Father was that the Father is in secret and sees in secret. The Greek word for secret is kryptos-from <G2928> (krupto); concealed, i.e. private :- hid (-den), inward [-ly], secret. Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Unlike the religious leaders who love to pray in the open, we are to pray privately to the Father who is in the hidden realm and sees from this secret realm. This should encourage us. There is a spiritual realm and has a great impact on the natural realm as we pray Hebrews 11:2 (PassionNTPsa)3Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.God is Spirit ( John 4:24) and resides in that hidden heavenly spiritual realm. We see that Jesus and Daniel understood this. There is great power and authority in prayer. To reach beyond the natural and see heaven touch earth.
- Mark 1:35 (KJV)-35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
- Daniel 6:10 (KJV)-10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
The New Testament tells us we have access to the Father: Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)-18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Also in Ephesians 3:12 (NKJV) 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. God welcomes us to pray to Him. Singer-songwriter David Ingles has a song, ” Into the Chamber”. Here are some of the lyrics. “Into the Chamber Be free Holy Spirit Speak thru me gently As I close the door Heavenly Lover Let Thy presence cover Shekinah unending Is all I long for.” What a wonderful gift God has given to us. Jesus has given us a new and living way by His blood-(Heb 10:19-20). To have access to our heavenly Father. The Chamber is a place of intimacy, a place of decisions, and a place of conversation. It is a place to listen and receive, to hear that still small voice speak to us gently. The chamber is a place to know the Father’s love, experience His peace, and be thankful for what He has done in our lives. The Chamber is our Born Again recreated spirit with the Holy Spirit and His life comes forth. The chamber experience helps us to understand His Word. To bring revelation to our hearts. Even though we can’t see God in the natural, He is there in that spiritual heavenly realm. God has given us His Word to know Him as well. We know this according to God’s Word by faith. We enter the chamber by faith, even when we don’t feel like it.!
In the Chamber we can weep like Joseph, we can praise like David, we can have revelation like Daniel, we can walk in authority like Moses, intercede and believe like Abraham, and we can pray in the Spirit like Paul. We can be joyful in the house (chamber) of prayer. May the chamber be a hiding place for us everyday. Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)-1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (CF. Psalm 31:20 )I always like to think of the secret place as being in Christ. Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)-2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Our spiritual position is seated with Christ in heavenly places. (Eph 2:6). It is great to be in the chamber above our problems and challenges in life. Let us pray the answer and not just the problem. How awesome is that! His Name is above every name.
How is your chamber experience lately? May God anoint us with fresh oil, and fresh passion to pray and seek His face. There is tremendous prayer taking place in our country, churches, small groups, and individuals. Praying in faith is making a difference. How God longs for us to come before Him and to trust Him(Hebrews 4:16). We are His sons and daughters and He is our Father. Thank God for the chamber experience. Truly it is a place filled with divine treasures.
Isaiah 56:7 (NKJV)-7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)-14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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