"For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God" Col 3:3.
"Where I am, there shall also My servant be" John 12:26.
"Where I am, they... with Me" John 17:24.

God is teaching many of His children today the mysteries of the kingdom, as pictures in the seed-grain buried out of sight yet living with Christ in God, in the power of an indissoluble life. Just so far as they have "hated" their "own life," to share in the life of the Lord, do they taste the "power of the age to come", Heb 6:5, and have the earnest of their inheritance - a handful of the very same life that shall be theirs in all its fullness, when "what is mortal" shall be "swallowed up of life", 2 Cor 5:4. United to Christ, and hidden in God, they dwell at the source of every precious thing, and in intercession at the Throne exercise even now "authority over the nations," and power "over all the power of the enemy," for "out of the mouth of babes... hast Thou established strength .. that Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger," Psa 8:2. They bring forth "much fruit" by abiding in living and hidden union with the Ascended Lord. They hide in Him, whilst, according to His promise, He abides in them, and glorifies His Father through them, producing fruit that shall remain and bear the test of the fire at the judgment seat. In Matt 6 the characteristics of the hidden life in the aspect of prayer are unfolded by Him Who was the very embodiment of all He taught. It is prayer with no thought of what others think. Matt 6:5,2. It is prayer shut in with God, whether in private or public, for God's hidden ones are in the inner chamber of His Presence the moment they approach Him anywhere, and they see and hear none but God. Matt 6:6,3. It is prayer, not so much of language as of heart. They do not need to use "vain repetitions," for if they know that He heareth, they know that they have the petitions asked of Him. Matt 6:7,4. It is prayer sure of response, for they speak to a Father Who knows their need, and, "how much more shall your Father... give good things to them that ask Him?" Matt 6:8,5. It is prayer definite and to the point, for the Son of God knew His Father's heart, and taught His children how few were the words requisite to bring response. "After this manner pray ye." Matt 6:9,6. It is the prayer of a child to a Father, and in union with the other children, "Our Father... in heaven." Matt 6:9. 7. It is prayer that puts God's glory and God's kingdom first, and before all personal interest. "Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come." Matt 6:9,10,8. It is prayer with a surrendered will for the will of God to be done in them as implicitly, and as rapidly, as it is done in heaven. Matt 6:10,9. It is prayer, not for luxuries, but for necessities. "Our bread for the coming day", which means a life of simplicity, and contentment with "such things as ye have." Matt 6:11,10. It is prayer in the spirit of forgiving love, "we also have forgiven our debtors" - therefore we can ask Thee to forgive us our debts. Matt 6:12,11. It is prayer in conscious dependence upon God's keeping and in knowledge of the terrible forces of evil, and the evil one, arrayed against the children of the heavenly Father in the world of "the world rulers of this darkness." Matt 6:13.

In short the hidden life is just the life of a little child, and a little child living in its Father's presence, desiring his Father's will, depending upon its Father for protection from all its foes, and showing its Father's spirit to all around. Moreover, the soul abiding with Christ in God, is given: "Hidden manna" for the sustenance of the inner life. "To him that overcometh. will I give of the hidden manna" Rev 2:17. "He that eateth Me. he also shall live because of Me" John 6:57. "Hidden wisdom" that is withholden from the wise. "The wisdom of God... the hidden wisdom revealed... by His Spirit" 1 Cor 2:7-10. "Hid... from the wise and prudent, revealed unto babes" Matt 11:25 "Hidden riches" only gained in times of testing. "I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places" Isa 45:3. "I know thy... tribulation... but thou art rich" Rev 2:9.

Fed with the hidden manna provided at the Father's table alone; taught the hidden wisdom that the princes of this World do not know; given the hidden wisdom that can only be gained in times of trial and darkness, surely it is true that to them that love God, "God worketh all things with them for good", Rom 8:28, even to them that He has foreordained to be made like to the image of His Son, the first among many brethren. Only through the testings can we enter into deep and full life in God. We can only know our God and His abundant grace as He brings us through circumstances that are a "good deal beyond the possible point," as someone once said. Each "impossible" point simply casts us upon the God in Whom we hide. "Deep" - "Dwell deep," said Ezekiel, the prophet. How can we unless we have no resource but God, no refuge but in Him? Dwelling deep in the heart of their God the hidden souls are then - "Hidden" from the strife of tongues. Psa 31:20. "Hidden" in time of trouble. Psa 27:5. "Hidden" from the storm. Isa 4:6. "Hidden" in the secret presence of God. Psa 31:20. "Hidden" under His wings. Psa 17:8. "Hidden" yes, hidden "behind the Lord" Psa 91:1. These passages tell of a life environed by God Himself, for " In Him we live, and move, and have our being."

Finally, as regards the outward service of these hidden ones. They no longer "run" without being "sent," for their service as well as their life is changed. Their place is now in the hand of God. "In the shadow of His hand hath He hid me; and He hath made me a polished shaft, in His quiver hath He kept me close", Isa 49:2. The souls who are hid with Christ in God are thus under His full control. He keeps them close until the right moment arrives for sending them forth as "polished shafts," silent and sure. When God wields the weapon He strikes the mark, for He knows the spot to aim at in the city of Mansoul. When not in active use they are kept hidden in His quiver, always ready at His hand. Polished shafts, ah, they need much polishing to get the roughness off them, but the Master Workman knows how to prepare His instruments for His use. The "polished shafts" are kept for hidden work, awaiting in the sanctuary, entering into the counsels of God, ready to fulfil His will. "Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself", Isa 45:15 There was the "hiding of His power", Hab 3:4 tells us that God's deepest work is hidden work. He is preparing a hidden kingdom, whilst permitting the kingdoms of this world to stand until all is ready. "In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms." Dan 2:44.

He is also building a hidden temple, for a habitation of God through the Spirit, and preparing a hidden Bride to share the throne of His Son. Yes, in this dispensation He is still a God that hideth Himself, and there is the hiding of His power as He silently works out His purposes, until the day when - "Christ Who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall (we) also with Him be manifested in glory", Col 3:4. "How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out" Rom 11:33. "Thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes" Matt 11:25. "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight" Matt 11:26.