DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH

DWELLING IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH

Psalms 91:1-16

Sicknesses and Diseases, economic and political unrest, failure of governments to address some basic infrastructures and wars of different kinds have taken their tolls on mankind and there seems to be no remedy for man's ills.  Mankind's problems stem from their lack of trust in the One who created them and because of their unbelief, they have trusted that which cannot satisfy their needs and have turned away from their heavenly Father who cares deeply for their welfare. To escape the storms of life, there is only one place that man can find refuge and that is under the shadow of God's protection. We are living in the midst of some very trying and sometimes fearful times. Everything that man has put his trust in is being shaken to the very core. The truth of the matter is this, there is nothing that you can put your trust in and no one you can turn to but One, and that is, God!

1.   Uncertainties In The World Isaiah 24:4; Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19; Luke 12:15-21; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 Timothy 6:7,17; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17

The world is filled with uncertainties in every facets of life. The Bible says through prophet Jeremiah “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5). There is nothing that is certain in the world and that is why the word of God tells us that “for the fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). Giving oneself to the world will turn one to God’s enemy. The word of God also confirms the vanity and uncertainty in the world in 1 Timothy 6:7 that “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Since it is certain that we brought nothing into the world and that we can carry nothing out, then it shows that we shouldn’t put our trust and confidence in shadow of this world, both the shadow and substance of the world are not trustworthy. Its however unfortunate that some people join the cults and consult herbalist and false prophets seeking for security and protection. All they promise and do for them is just a ploy by the devils and his agents to put the gullible in perpetual bondage.

2.   Uncommon Provision In The Word Psalms 91:1-8; 23:1-6; Eph. 3:20; 1 Timothy 6:17(b)    

The word of God is filled with a lot of blessings that are mainly for the true believers to enjoy. Deliverance and salvation are synonymous, they cannot be separated. God is our deliverer and Jesus is our Savior, we have been set free from sin and delivered from the powers of darkness. The devil has been defeated and rendered powerless and we have been given all authority over all of his works. The secret place provides protection from the enemy and the word of God builds our faith that literally becomes a shield that deflects all the attacks of the devil. Knowing who we are and to whom we belong will greatly aid us in our quest to defeat all of Satan's schemes. When I was a child standing in the shadow of my earthly father I knew and had faith that no matter what, he would protect me from anything that would try to harm me. John 15 says that we are the branches and Jesus is the vine, this analogy illustrates the close relationship that we are to have with Him by always abiding in His presence. In the shelter of the vine and the divine spiritual nourishment that it provides we can remain at rest and peace knowing that God is in total control of our lives.

3.   Unequal Preservation For True Worshippers Psalms 91:9-16;

To enter the "Secret Place" one must lay down all of his trust and belief in the world and in his own ability to provide for himself and relinquish all of his gifts and talents and surrender to the Most High. To come under His care and provision one must submit himself totally to the Father's will for his life. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

All about us destruction and death lurk in the shadows seeking some unsuspecting souls out from under the protection of God's mighty hand. Sickness, drug and alcohol addiction, murder, suicide and terror of all kinds are consuming people by the millions, not to mention acts of nature such as storms, earthquakes and fires that are an everyday occurrence. The news is always focused on some catastrophic accidents or some other fear-provoking situation that brings about depression and anxiety to those that have no hope.

Fear is the opposite of faith and God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. The promises of God in His word are to be an encouragement for our souls in times of distress and we are to literally take Him at His word that He will protect us and keep us safe even today in these perilous times. Fear dominates the world and men's hearts are truly failing because of all the events that are taking place right before their very eyes, but we can confess like the Psalmist that “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1).

It seems that everywhere we look evil is prevalent and disease of all kinds is spreading across the world. Bird flu, swine flu, cancer, diabetes, Ebola, Monkey-pox, Cow-pox, AIDS and new and mysterious strains of air-borne bacteria are stifling medical science. Billions are spent every year to try and cure diseases and yet the end is not even remotely in sight.

The Christian has a benefit plan written in the blood of Jesus 2000 years ago with promises of healing and deliverance from all diseases. We have been given total freedom from the maladies of the world if we will only trust in our loving Father to fulfill His word and believe. The world has nothing to offer the believer in regards to health care, finances and welfare because we belong to a heavenly realm that promises to provide all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).

God's promise of protection is His angelic messengers sent to render aid to those that have been purchased with the blood of His Son. Angels are on duty 24/7 guarding us and protecting us through every circumstance of life even though for the most part they are invisible. Throughout the word of God angels intervened in the lives of countless saints warring against the enemy and pushing back the powers of darkness (Psalms 34:7). God has given the believer authority and power to defeat the schemes of the devil and has given us the mandate to put the enemy under our feet just as Jesus did. The army of the living God has been given dominion over sicknesses, death, and poverty and has every right to run the powers of darkness out of their lives and families. We have been given the weapons of war and the armor of God to destroy the works of the devil “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

All of mankind is invited into the secret place of God's presence to spend eternity with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven, but sadly only a few choose to relinquish their life in exchange for His. The gift is free, but the cost is great, only the one willing to give up his own life for Him will receive the rights and benefits of His kingdom and an eternity of heavenly splendor