The secret place of the Most High
From the Pastor’s heart The secret place of the Most High
Psa_91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
Cubby houses, closets in the house, under the bed and many such places have often been used as secret hiding places by little children. Some would go to such places and indulge in imaginary thoughts of grandeur or something else while others used these places as refuge centres from the storms of life. God too has a secret place for us. The Psalmist had found this place and would often resort to it in time of need. When he could not find this place due to the trials and tribulations of life darkening his senses, especially when his enemies were attacking him, he would become distraught. The wildernesses that ensued were not pleasant places. They did not offer refuge or comfort nor did they speak of grandeur because the presence of the Lord was hidden.
There are several clues to finding this secret place even in difficult times. One such clue is knowing how to enter into God’s rest. His rest is a secret place that gives refuge from the wildernesses in life’s journey. Israel as a nation did not understand this concept when they went into the wilderness and were there for 40 years. The only criteria for this rest to operate was believing God. In spite of the many miracles, signs and wonders that happened visibly to them, many never entered into that rest because they provoked the wrath of God. On the other hand, when Christians enter into the rest of God through Jesus, they find a resting place beside still waters. Added to that, they find a high and strong tower in times of trouble. Furthermore, when they abide in the Vine, they are not only secure but fruitful. Jesus is the cleft of the rock that God uses to hide us from life’s storms.
The clues to accessing and enjoying the secret place function around dwelling and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Few find this dwelling place. They seek it but often miss the place. He is a covert from the storms of life. Psa_61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. Many are attached to Christ as the Vine but few abide in Him. They become restless and try many other ways only to find themselves in strife. We have seen through the word of God that this secret place can be quite elusive but in actual fact remains in plain sight at all times Joh 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. The cross is that evidence of plain sight. It is foolishness to man but it is the wisdom of God.
The Church is another place of abiding; a place where God meets us and covers us under His wings. It is a safe place, though often time it has not been in the natural. Yet, the true Church is a place of dwelling and abiding. When you find this place, in the Church, which is the body of Christ and not the denominational structure called Church, you have found the hiding and dwelling place. You have also found the place where you belong and must function out of. You don’t have to ever leave this hiding place because it is a prepared place. It is the body of Jesus Himself and so, one can trust this body and place. In it are found all the pleasures of life and eternity, the purpose for living and a hope and a future for all of God’s promises.
I am always looking for this place in God because when one dwells in it, they receive all that God has for them in more ways than one. Resorting to this secret place means moving away from the things of this world and isolating yourself with God. There is an intimacy in the secret place that no one else enjoys except God and you. It is a safe place of trust and love that is divine. It holds no condemnation or attacks that one would feel outside of this secret place. It is not a place of works. It is also a place of understanding God and trusting Him. Fear has no place in this dwelling place and nothing of this world or the demonic world can enter in. I like going there because I am away from the crowds and demands of life and all my fears and troubles are quelled.
When one is in this place, the supernatural begins to take place like never before. I remember this time when I was in Singapore when I was in deep trouble in every way possible that I found this secret place. At the time, it did not feel like the secret place of beauty and quietness but rather a place where my soul was being poured out to God in complaint against Him and my own circumstances in life. It was then that God showed Himself irrefutably as my Father and revealed to me that He was a good God. I would feel His loving presence in the midst of all my tears as I cried out my deepest feelings to Him. The time with God was so complete I can honestly say, I never looked back on Him in a negative way from that day on. I learnt the truth and the truth set me free. Why was this the secret place? Well, it was there that I met God in a way that no one else knew we were together in fellowship. It was hidden from the world, the devil and all prying eyes. The events that took place in that room in Singapore was intimate and powerful. It was love in action by God toward His child who was in trouble. The encounter during that three week period changed my life forever. It did not stop the attacks of the enemy in the future but the encounter strengthened me to stand and not have to be double minded about God and His goodness.
This is my personal opinion but I feel that the secret place is also a place of intimacy with God that a soul longs to have where no one else can be found except God. God comes to this place to cover us under His wings. In a sense, this covering under His wings is a betrothal like when a man would cover a woman with his skirt to give her eternal relationship in marriage. Rth 3:7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. Rth 3:8And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. Rth 3:9And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. The word ‘skirt’ used here always represents the outer extremities of a person’s being. This term is used again in Isaiah (Isa 6:1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.) to explain the covering of the temple by God. This time around, the word ‘train’ is used to explain the outer extremities of God. In other words, since we are the temple of God we are covered by God’s outer extremities just like Boaz did for Ruth. We are betrothed to Jesus by His claim on us as kinsman redeemer. Destiny is consummated (completed) in intimacy between God and man. This happens when we become born again. This intimacy is explained in the Songs of Solomon as two lovers finding themselves in this secret place. Son 2:4He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. To me, it speaks of permanent residency in marriage. Marriage is only true when it is consummated otherwise it is just something written on paper. When marriage is consummated, it becomes eternal. This is what makes marriage so important to God.
There are many secret places. They come as we need them. Some are places of enjoyment of God’s intimacy and others are places of refuge from the storms of life. In the hiding place one thing is certain, God’s wings which represent His protection come over you. One can expect to meet with God on a one on one basis and where there are no secrets between God and you. Intimacy with God is holy and pure. When He touches you, it will be beyond anything you can experience anywhere else. I am convinced that many seek this intimacy in someone else or thing because there is this longing in their heart for what is truly only available from God. Since they do not know how to obtain this intimacy with God, they go looking for it in other things or people. We must learn to separate the intimacy of the flesh from the spiritual.
When true worship in Spirit and truth takes place then, we find divine intimacy that take us to new heights. The mercy seat is a place of worship as much as it is a place of mercy. There you will hear the voices of the Cherubim saying ’Holy Holy, Holy’ all the time. They are worshipping out of intimacy like no other creature can, as they have this lofty position with God. Yet, God makes Himself available to us through Jesus His Son into this same place. Why would this be a secret place if it is open to all to find mercy, grace and love? It is so because no one really knows the mercy, grace and love you need, except God. Only He can satisfy the longing of your soul. A cry reaches from the depth of a soul to God for mercy and grace in time of need and also when there is a longing to be in the sanctuary Psa 63:1A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psa 63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Secret places are quite resting places in good and bad times. Psalm 23 adequately expresses the true meaning of a secret place. Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psa 23:2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psa 23:3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psa 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psa 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever
It is in the secret place that one can gain strength again for life and face it with the power of God residing in them. One gets rejuvenated there. My encouragement to you is not be taken in by evil even if you think it is being generated by yourself. Rather, look to God and ask Him to show you where to meet. You never know where you will meet God. Be prepared in your heart and know that God is always seeking you and is never far from you. You may think you are alone and that the enemy has overtaken you. It may be that you are in deep trouble but if you can surrender your will and submit to God and say; “I want to meet with you”, then, He will open the door to the secret place and you will see like never before. Ask Him now for the Spirits of wisdom and revelation to reveal Jesus and you will begin to see into the secret place like never before. The glory and power awaits you.
Lots of love
Pastor Noble The inner sanctum of God is the secret place