Stay in the Secret Place
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 is a very well known and cited verse of the bible, but sometimes I think when a scripture is so quoted, we tend to lose focus of its true value and meaning for us today. So, let’s break it down.
He who dwells…dwell means to live in a place, take up permanent residence. The verse doesn’t start out by saying ‘he who visits’ nor is it suggesting that you be a squatter, coming and going as you please.
In the secret place…this is the quiet place where you can truly be alone with God. Matthew 6:6 even says to pray in your closet. Jesus went to the mountains to pray, or He prayed in the early morning when everyone was asleep. Today’s techno society makes it almost impossible to tune out distraction, but it is vital for the believer.
Of the Most High…again, because it’s so quoted, we could say, “Duh, that’s God.” It could have just said ‘Father,’ but it doesn’t, it specifically says ‘Most High.” We need to remind ourselves that we serve a God who is above all else because He created all else. He has complete dominion over all the earth and everything that inhabits the earth.
Shall abide…abide has several meanings, but here it means to remain or stay. Abide can also mean to endure or to accept and be guided by. Shall here isn’t a ‘must’ as in ‘you shall be punished,’ it’s a ‘get to.’ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide…is allowed or promised to. It’s the reward for being obedient to the first part of the verse.
Under the shadow of the Almighty…this is the best part. You’ve heard the expression, ‘I’ve taken them under my wing,” which means that you’re taking care of and overseeing someone less experienced. Many verses of the bible refer to the shadow of His wings. It is the nature of most adult birds to hide their babies under their wings for warmth and protection. Under His shadow also means we are in constant contact with Him; in His presence.
I have not mastered the alone time in a secret place with the Father and I succumb to distractions more times than I’d like to admit. But I think when we are truly alone with our daddy God…when we’ve found that secret place where we are in His presence, THAT is where we find the fullness of joy. Why would we ever want to leave there? Stay in the secret place!