November,
2001 "Dwelling
in the Secret Place of the Most High"
Last month,
I wrote with a sense of urgency from the Lord that "now more
than ever" we must realign our lives and reestablish our
priorities from an eternal perspective. (See the Archive Section
to read last month's Love Lesson.) Though the times have been
uncertain in the midst of the aftermath of the terrorist strike
against our nation and though we have been filled with grave concern
as we have undertaken the first war of the 21st century, I pray
that you have been able to find a place of safety and peace within
your own heart and life as you have reached out to God Almighty.
This month
I am sharing with you a teaching by a dear friend of mine. Her
understanding of the promises of God that are ours in Christ as
we dwell in Him, has been borne out of her own life experiences.
My prayer for you is that as you read of the promises from Psalm
91, that you too will be able to find a place of shelter from
the fear and troubling of the times and seasons that are upon
us.
God loves
you and so do I. Be blessed in Jesus.
L.O.V.E.,
Patty
DWELLING IN
THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH
Written by
Sharon Watson
Scottsdale, Arizona
David, the
author of Psalm 91, knew how to "live in God." Whatever
was happening in David's life, whether good or bad, it drove him
straight toward his God. In the uncertain times that we are facing
it is possible to live a life free of fear and full of faith….but
how?
In the first
two verses of the 91st Psalm, David tells us that when we dwell
(live) in the secret place of the Most High we will be sheltered
by God. Then he goes on to proclaim that God alone is his God,
his refuge, his place of safety and he is trusting in Him. And
what is the result of doing these two things (abiding and proclaiming)?
How about over 20 assurances that God indeed is sheltering us
in the troubling times we live in: Three times safety from pestilence
(plague) is mentioned…the evil will not touch us…God
will rescue us from every trap…He will shield us with His
wings…we need not fear anymore… His faithful promises
become our armor…we will not share in the punishment of the
wicked…His angels will protect us…we won't stumble over
the "rocks" in our path…we can meet up with the
enemy and remain safe…even trample him beneath our feet…God
will rescue us…God will make us great…He will answer
us when we call…He will be with us in trouble…He will
honor us…with a full life and we receive His Salvation!!
All these
promises hinge on our learning to live in that secret place with
God. Let's look at some things that need to happen before we can
declare that "I am stable and fixed in God no matter what
comes against me. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and
my fortress, my God, on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently
trust!"
·
Recognize your need of God - become poor in spirit.
Think of being poor in spirit as the opposite of pride and self-sufficiency.
It is the attitude of the heart that causes a person to look
to God longingly and pleadingly. God, many times, brings us
to this recognition in the hard times, in the times of testing,
in that situation we can't control (Psalm 69). We recognize
that we are "needy" of Him when we read the Word and
see the sin in our life. The Word shows us the power of God
and what He will do in our lives if we surrender to Him. Hosea
4:6 says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,
because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you….."
Ignorance of what God will do keeps us from recognizing our
need of Him.
·
Courage to put our faith in God - We've recognized
our need of God, now we need courage to put our faith where
our heart says to put it. My definition of faith goes something
like this: Faith is the ability to feel so sure of God that
no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to the outcome.
And what would be the outcome for the child of God? Knowing
that whatever happened, He is with me in it, He delights in
me and is working out His plan for me.
·
Personal and private fellowship with God - To dwell
in God you have a priority on spending time with Him in the
Word and in praise and worship. David knew how to praise his
God and to worship Him. He adored his God through his praise
and worship. We can do no less. The Word says, God inhabits
the praise of His people.
· Hindrances that block our way - Personal
Failure says, "I've done so many things wrong, God wouldn't
accept me" or how about this one, "I've prayed before
and nothing happened." The first thought is rooted in pride-that
says "what I've done even God couldn't deal with."
We don't want to think of ourselves bigger than God. The second
thought says we need to realize that the Word teaches us that
God hears and answers all believers' prayers. He may not answer
them the way you expect or want Him to or in the time frame
you desire. Remember, a "NO" from God is an answer
to prayer.
Another
hindrance is Fear. Fear is the tool the enemy uses to paralyze
us… to keep us frozen to the spot. We don't move forward
if fear controls us. Faith and fear cannot dwell together. If
fear is in control faith is pushed aside. Fear is believing
the devil -faith is believing God.
As we face
the days ahead I want to go forward full of courage and faith
in my God. How about you? God is giving us His promises, many
are unconditional but many are conditional, based on our seeking
after Him and then doing what He calls us to do. Can we pray……
"Father,
I confess my lack of intimacy with You. Forgive me and help me
to set aside special times to fellowship with You. I declare today
that I want to be like David. I will choose You. I will praise
You. I will seek You out and bring my life to You. I will take
refuge in You today and tomorrow and in the days to follow. Father,
I believe that a strong desire to serve and obey You will begin
to take hold in my heart because today I recognize my need of
You in my life. Because today You have given me courage to let
go and let You have Your way. Because today I'm making covenant
with You, O God, to fellowship with You through Your Word and
through my praise and worship. Father, I give my fears to You…You
take them and replace them with a strong desire to obey You. I
thank You, Father, for sending experiences my way that will strengthen
my faith. And thank You, Father, for allowing me to dwell with
You in Your secret place and that my life in You will not be the
same as it was yesterday. Thank You for all Your wonderful promises
to me that are fulfilled when I abide in You."
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