The Secret Place!

“…He that dwells in THE SECRET PLACE of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.…” Psalms 91:1

It seems that every time I read this verse I get a sense of God’s overwhelming comfort in my life. Quite frankly, this is one of the more popular verses in Christiandom altogether, especially when referring to prayer, worship or some sort of divine protection from God (and rightfully so). The “secret place” should indeed be known (and experienced) as the place of refuge, prayer and worship, but as we look further into the spirit of the text, we should find even more.

Many of us already know (at least to a workable degree) what the secret place is, but I dare not guess how many of us truly understand what it takes to experience the secret place. When the Psalmist speaks here about the secret place, the first requirement he gives is the necessity to dwell there! Now, of course we know that “dwelling” here is to live, remain or make an abode. However, the Hebrew root for dwell, “Yashab” (yaw-shab) is that which denotes deifying the place in which you remain. In other words, you live in the secret place because it is unlike any other place and therefore causes you to view it as deity.

In addition to this truth about the Hebrew root “Yashab”, there is another truth that awesome to understand. Dwelling here also signifies a divine (or deified) invitation to dwell that is offered through the reward of diligence. In other words, I can’t enter the secret place of my own accord. The shocking truth is that prayer, worship, and even Christian service in and of themselves can’t get me there. Even with all of these responsible acts, I still have to be invited, and this “invitation” is NOT given to anyone! It is a reward of those who are rewarded for their diligence. Many pray, but are NOT diligent. Many worship, and are NOT diligent. Many do wonderful “Christian” acts, but are NOT diligent. The Apostle Paul even said that some may do good works without having love. So then, the inference of this in continuation is that my remaining there [dwelling] is hinged upon the fulfillment of diligence. If I am no longer diligent, then my invitation for habitation is forfeited.

Now Saints, this truth begs the question: Do I “merit” my way into the secret place? A sound understanding of the word “dwell” (Yashab) Psalm 91:1 will cause us to know that our view of this place [as deity] impacts us in a way that causes action, motivation and service. Secondly, the secret place is NOT ours to demand. It is owned by El-Elyon [the Most High]. El-Elyon is the God who is not only high (exalted), but who also rules. He is God in complete control and has full ownership of what He is in control of.

Finally, the Psalmist says that when I am in this secret place, I will “abide under His shadow”, which is different from dwelling (although similar in their essence). Abide in the Hebrew is the word, “Luwn” (loon), which is lodging through night or dark seasons (also dark times, events, places, etc), which is a metaphoric reference to evil suffering. Notice though, that we are abiding in a dark place that is good for us (under His shadow) from a dark place that is harmful for us (hardships, evil suffering, etc). WOW! What thought provoking truth!

Ok, let us look at all we have seen thus far. The secret place is that which I view as a place of deity, yet it is a place that is (both) dark for my good and dark to keep from evil suffering. However, it is NOT a place that I can go on my own, no matter how much I pray, do good deeds, worship, or any other seemingly good thing. It is essentially the welcome of God into a place that He has designed as a gift for those who have shown a faithful consistency in seeking His refuge. Do you really want to be in the Secret Place? How much do you really want it?

“…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek him….” Hebrews 11:6

Grace & Peace,
Roc