Having considered the significance of the secret place, and some of the various ways and means whereby we may dwell in this extraordinary meeting place, we are now in a position to give serious thought to the awesome benefits that God has promised to all who "dwell" in the secret place.
Psalm 91 must be one of the most encouraging chapters in Scripture. The promises that God makes to the secret place dweller are huge and almost unbelievable and, today, in this time of intensity, trial, and uncertainty, it is extremely good to know that God has provided for everyone a spiritual retreat where we may meet in private with Him - a secret place where we may enjoy shelter beneath His wings – snuggly tucked into His feathers.
God wrote Psalm 91 just for you, and all of the promises in this Psalm are just for you. All of the benefits mentioned below are yours – that is, if you will only accept Jesus as your very Best Friend, and if you will only use the secret place as the furrow into which you may safely sow the remainder of your life.
Please make Psalm 91 a subject of your earnest meditation – it is loaded with excellent heart medicine.
If you dwell in the secret place of the Most High . . .
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You will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1) |
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You will have complete confidence in God as your refuge and your fortress, and you will have an unwavering trust in Him. (Psalm 91:2) |
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God will deliver you from every hazard, peril and sickness. (Psalm 91:3) |
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God will comfort you and cover you with His feathers. (Psalm 91:4) |
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You will rest secure, nestled beneath the wings of the Most High. (Psalm 91:4) |
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You will have an abiding confidence in the fact that God will faithfully keep all of His promises. (Psalm 91:4) |
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You will not be afraid of anything – not of terror, nor of war, nor of plague, nor of catastrophe. (Psalm 91:5-6) |
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Calamity may visit others, but calamity will not come near you. (Psalm 91:7) |
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Evil will not befall you, and evil will have no hold over you. (Psalm 91:10) |
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God’s angels will watch over your every step. (Psalm 91:11) |
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God’s angels will carry you, not on their backs, but in their hands. (Psalm 91:12) |
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God will set you securely on high. (Psalm 91:12) |
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God will answer your prayers. (Psalm 91:15) |
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God will rescue you. (Psalm 91:15) |
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God will honour you. (Psalm 91:15) |
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God will add years to your life. (Psalm 91:16) |
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God will reveal His salvation to you. (Psalm 91:16) |
If this all sounds almost too good to be true, it is because it is almost too good to be true . . .
Psalm 91 is made up of two parts – God’s part and our part. God’s part comprises the remarkable series of blessings that are listed above. In order to receive of these incredible blessings, He asks of us only the following:
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Dwell in the secret place with Me. (Psalm 91:1) |
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Make Me your refuge and put your trust in me. (Psalm 91:9) |
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Love Me and get to know Me. (Psalm 91:14) |
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Call on Me – and this is not to be a sporadic calling on God, but a constant communion with Him throughout the hours of every day. |
Dwell with Me; put your trust in Me; love Me; call on Me. Is there anything difficult about the part that God expects us to play? This must surely be the offer of all offers, and the rewards are guaranteed - if we will only take Him as our constant companion:
"While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of God's word, all the power of divine grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a present help in every time of need." (MYP249.2)
To close this chapter, I would like to make a personal appeal to those who are finding that living is taking the life out of them:
Has life dealt you a bad hand? Are there no silver linings around your dark clouds? Are you fearful of the future? Are you haunted by something in your past? Whatever your circumstances, my dear reader, they will be greatly improved if you hold on to God as your closest Friend and Companion. You can speak to Him, anywhere, anytime and under any circumstance.
"Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands." (PK164.3)
"He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be open for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon your Burden Bearer." (LHU97.7)
"None are so vile, none have fallen so low, as to be beyond the working of [His] power." (COL96.1)
"Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best." (DA336.3)
"However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ." (DA297.1)
"Never is one repulsed who comes to Him with a contrite heart. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being." (COL174.1)
"Never are we absent from the mind of God." (3SM338.1)
"Whatever may be our situation, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us." (COL173.1)
Even if you feel that you are stumbling through a thick mist, just keep holding on to God’s strong hand, just keep flashing silent prayers to Him throughout the day. You can rest assured that changes for the good will come. God is a Master at turning negative circumstances into good. He knows exactly how to overturn the plans of the evil one. Nothing is too difficult for Him. You can trust Him – for He is faithful.
"You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. All my springs of joy are in you. In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" (Psalm 65:11 NKJ; 87:7 NASB; 16:11; 6; 116:12)
"In the secret place of His tent He will hide me." (Psalm 27:5)
