I love living FROM my Secret Place. It is there that I find my peace, strength, hope, power and identity. I'm not trying to find it in the hope that perhaps one day I will discover it. No, it is a place that Jesus has positioned us in every day, but we all must choose to enter.
When I have preached about this topic in the past some were a little confused. Is the "Secret Place" a literal place or location? Is it a state of mind? Is it real and can I actually experience God there? The answer is YES to all of those questions. Yes, it can be a place where you connect with God. For me it is a specific chair and room in my house. Of course, my intimacy with God is not limited to that location because I can encounter Him anywhere. But I find it helpful to create a space where I am not distracted or interrupted. Yes, it is a state of mind where I intentionally slow down, rest in His presence and become aware that I am with Jesus. Yes, it is very real and it is available to every single person who has found their home in God's family.
During this global pandemic it has become very obvious how easy it is to get dragged down into a pit of despair, fear and anxiety. Everything seems so loud lately and it doesn't take much to get swept up in the hype and hysteria. I've noticed that some days it literally takes one news report, one Facebook post, one conversation or one momentary thought to find myself in a place of heaviness and trouble. Thankfully, I've discovered my secret place, a place where Jesus has promised protection from all of that...it is my treasured refuge.
What difference does it actually make living from your secret place? We have some breathtaking examples of this, particularly in the much-loved PSALM 91. Look at this glorious promise...
Psalm 91:1-7 (TPT)
When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed.
How amazing is that! Amazing because it is attached to a promise for those that choose to live from their Secret Place. Yes, you can choose it right now, no matter what is happening around you. Imagine for a moment living from that sheltered place of divine protection and peace. Breathtaking isn't it?
Hey, it gets even more inspiring. Look at verses 9-16 (TPT):
When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go,
defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!”
If you are reading this, I want you to know...IF GOD SAID IT, THAT SETTLES IT...YOU BELONG IN HIS SECRET HIDING PLACE! This is His invitation to you and I to not get overwhelmed by the noise, threats and pressure around us. He is reaching out His hand and drawing us in to a secret hiding place where nothing that this world or the forces of darkness can get to. Yes dear one, you can live each day being hidden in the strength of our Mighty Father God! What a way to frustrate the devil!
Fight every battle from your secret place!
Pray every prayer from your secret place!
Make every decision from your secret place!
Lay hold of every promise from your secret place!
Wake up, do life, go back to sleep and dream from your secret place!
This is a position of great power, strength and impact. In these times of uncertainty and tension, what better reminder is there than to know that God has already set us up for a life of victory, freedom, power and hope. But again I must say, it is a clear and intentional choice to enter and stay in the secret place.
Let me encourage you, if you need to read and re-read Psalm 91 again do it until you hear your own voice in those words. Personalise it. Turn it into a prayer and make declarations that will shape your atmosphere. I love doing that with certain Bible passages because it awakens my heart to the reality of what I have as a son in God's family. I encourage you to journal this Psalm by writing it out, but make it personal. For example (verse 9), When I live my life within the shadow of my God Most High, my secret hiding place, I will always be shielded from harm...My God will answer my cry for help every time I pray, and I will find and feel His presence even in my time of pressure and trouble! That declaration alone can bring lasting change.
Ok, I hear God calling me to have lunch with Him in the secret place -the food is awesome there! Have fun and enjoy Father's embrace in the secret place...He is waiting for you.
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