When Jesus answered the rich young ruler ’s question, the young man said: “All these I have kept. . . . What do I still lack?” Then Jesus told him what his lack was and “he went away sad” (v. 22). The interview was over; Jesus asked for the Master Key , and the young man refused to give it.

Has Jesus the keys to your life? Has He the key to the Library of your life, or do you just read what you please? Has He the key to the Dining room of your life—do you feed your soul on His Word? Has He the key to the Recreation compartment, or do you just go where you please? Have you given Christ the Master Key to your life?

We may have all of the Holy Ghost, but has He all of us? Are there spaces yet to be filled with the Holy Ghost—spaces, places, rooms, and closets in our spiritual house into which He has not “fully come” because we have not yet given up all the keys from cellar to attic of our spiritual homestead?

The House of the Lor d has many chambers, Large and lofty , or low and small; And some who turn fr om the world’ s broad highways And find the door to the entrance hall, Are satisfied with its shade and coolness, To know they have come to the House of a Friend, And, r esting ther e in the peace and quiet, They think they have far ed to their journey’ s end.

And some ar e content with the antechamber , That opens out of the entrance hall, With the winds that blow fr om the spicy gar dens, The musical splash of the fountain’ s fall; They feast on the fruits of the Spirit’ s giving And muse on the thought of the joys to come, And r esting ther e in the peace and quiet, Are glad that the Lor d has br ought them home.

But those who have heeded His invitation To come up higher and enter in To the upper r oom of the Master ’s dwelling, To stor es of tr easur es their way shall win.

What eye hath seen them? What mind conceived them? What heart hath dr eamed of the things concealed, The joys pr epared for the Lor d’s beloved, To those who seek them alone r evealed?

Clothed with His glory they leave His pr esence, Girt with His power they walk abr oad Who find the door to the inner chamber , The secr et place of the Most High God.

“THE INNER CHAMBER ” BY ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT