The Secret Place of His Presence by John Belt

Psalm 91 is and has been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible for as long as I can remember. There is so much promise wrapped up in this single chapter of the Bible. This has without a doubt been a key contributing verse that instilled in me the central value of dwelling in the Presence of God. “He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty…” It then goes on to list all the associated benefits that come for those who choose to dwell in the secret place of His Presence. This is one of those chapters, like Psalm 23, that should have a special place in our hearts. David had been revealed the reality of this “secret place” with God. It is a “secret”. It is not a “common” place that everyone knows about. It is a place that is only found by those who take time to seek the Lord with the whole heart. A secret is something that is not shared with everyone. It is only for those who have a certain kind of trusted relationship. God found this kind of relationship in David. David was not a common person, but peculiar. Just as Paul talks about uncommon vessels that are used for noble purposes, this is the kind of person that God shares His secrets with.

2 Timothy 2:21-22
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

We also need to realize that this is the kind of relationship that Jesus paid the highest price for us to have. David had tasted of this New Covenant reality, accessing God’s Presence through intimate relationship as a friend of God. Jesus rent the veil asunder that we may come into that very secret inner court of God’s Presence through His blood.

Hebrews 10:19-22
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”

The ingredient we need to discover the reality of God’s Presence in the secret place is a hunger and thirst for God. Our pursuit, drawing near to God, will draw Him closer to us. The eyes of the Lord seek throughout the earth to find those whose hearts are toward Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9) When we realize just how valuable the Lord is in our lives we will pursue Him as such. If He is just another activity on our list then we will treat Him as common and therefore our relationship will be shallow without the trustworthy element that a true friend is entitled to. When we treat the secret place as a “secret place” that is uncommon we will value it much more realizing that we are very privileged to have this access. God holds secrets for us in this most intimate of places of relationship. Scripture says that God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets. Prophets firstly are those who have a real friendship with God that can be trusted.

1 John 2:27
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

This is not saying that we don’t need teachers, but that the Holy Spirit reveals and teaches us things firsthand of great value because of the relationship with have with God. Dwelling in the Presence of God is essential to dwell in a place of true knowing of God, of revelation, of protection and of promises fulfilled. I would encourage you to take time to read this chapter over your life and take time just to ponder in your thoughts. Through this God will pour out an eternal deposit that will last for a lifetime.

Psalm 91
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “ He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”