The Secret Place.
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
What is the secret place? David knew about it and found it to be a place of great protection and provision. Is he the only person that knew about it, accessed it, and can we find it too?
This was the first Psalm I ever memorized growing up. I have always loved this psalm and in times of difficulty, I would always revert to what it says. Some of the most wonderful promises are included in this psalm.
I am sure David did not just pen this psalm because he had a poetic inclination and desire to just write down some words. I believe that every word of this psalm comes from a genuine experience he had. Every time God came through for him, he remembered how God protected and provided for him.
Here are some of the benefits of being in a secret place with God.
1. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
2. Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
3. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
4. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
5. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
6. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
That is not all folks!
7. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.
8. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Grab a hold of this!
9. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion, and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
10. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
11. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
With all the benefits that the secret place has, it becomes imperative for us to find it and learn how to dwell in the secret place as well. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience this kind of protection and provision?
David found the secret place while living under the Old Covenant. Is there a secret place in the New Covenant? David accessed the secret place through worship and meditation. He functioned from the secret place. When he faced Goliath, he was not intimidated. When he was faced with betrayal and had to flee his home, he never doubted that God could restore him and his family.
What about Jesus? Did he have a secret place with God? I believe so. He prayed often, fasted, and waited on God. Jesus even tells us plainly what the secret place is we can find God. When I realized it, I was shocked. It is in plain sight, and I missed it all these years. Would you like to know the secret place that is available to us?
First Secret Place: Giving.
Matt. 6:3-4 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Giving is a key to the secret place with God. God is a giver. Jesus came to give everything he had. Being generous is to be an expression of the heart of God. We know what scripture teaches us. God so loved that He gave – John 3:16. It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35. I am fully convinced that giving is a connection and entry into the secret place where God finds you and rewards you.
Second Secret Place: Prayer.
Matt. 6:5-6 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Prayer is another key to step into the secret place. Matthew 6:6 says that God is “in” the secret place of prayer. Once we realize the power of prayer, we will be hard pressed to only pray little insignificant prayers. Prayers bring about answers. Prayer changes things – Phill 4:6. Prayer is the opportunity God affords us to bring His will to earth – Matt 6:9-10.
Third Secret Place: Fasting.
Matt. 6:16-18 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Fasting is the quickest way to see how much carnality is in your flesh. The flesh is our struggle. When God cursed the serpent, He told him that his food would be dust – Gen 3:14, Isaiah 65:25. God also says that he made us from the dust of the earth and to dust we will return – Gen 3:19. The flesh or carnality is the enemy's food. Fasting is a way to crucify the flesh and deny the enemy his food. Fasting is also a key to stepping into the secret place because no flesh shall glory in His presence – 1 Cor 1:29. Fasting helps us to step out of carnality and step into the place where flesh no longer rules and dictates.
When you study great men and women of God you will find that they all had these things in common. They lived lives dedicated to God through fasting, prayer, and giving of themselves.
Jesus’ life was known by these. He commands us to do the same. Not “if” we give, pray, or fast, but WHEN we give, pray and fast.
I believe these verses hold a key to a more abundant life where we will and can experience God’s provision and protection.