Where Is The Secret Place?
Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1, NKJV)
“dwelleth in the secret place” denotes someone’s rest in Christ. This text in Psalms 91:1 for example refers to “living under the shadow of The Almighty.” By mentioning this “secret place” and by being in the secret place, it has to refer to a person who trusts in God. The one who lives close to Him. The one who lives “under the shadow.”
The title in Psalms 91:1 of “Most High” emphasizes God’s majesty (Psalms 92:1) and is parallel to the term Almighty, a translation of the divine title Shaddai. Together the terms Most High and Shaddai speak of God as a mountain-like majesty, in whose presence there is a “secret place” or a shadow.
My refuge and my fortress may be rephrased as “my secure fortress,” for one example. And as evidenced by Solomon, when he answers: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him will I trust,” (Psalms 91:2).
Many Bible versions also say for Psalms 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will REST in the shadow of the Almighty. “Rest in Christ is “the secret place” Psalms 91:1-2, similar to a soliloquy in which the believer states the blessedness of dwelling under God’s sheltering care, and encourages their heart to exercise personal faith; Psalms 91:3-8.
The assurance of a chorus of voices, which emphasize the safety of those who believe; Psalms 91:9, an exclamation in which the believer again expresses their resolve to exercise said personal faith; Psalms 91:9-13, the second assurance of a chorus of reassuring voices; Psalms 91:14-16, God’s ratification of the whole attitude and expressions of the psalmist and his friends.
Perhaps, this “secret place” is called “secret” simply because non-believers cannot see or understand such a thing unless they have that personal faith experience described as “dwelleth in the secret place” — (Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20) “Secret place” simply referring to that which denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure or rest from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in Psalms 91:2.
When my late wife died in my arms a little over two years ago now, one of our favorite caregivers texted me Psalms 91 and it was certainly appropriate to the occasion. “Yea, though I went through the “valley of the shadow” of death, I will fear no evil; For Jesus is with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Jesus was with me…I was “in the secret place” I was “under the shadow.” (Psalms 23:4) I was resting in Him.
Living “under the shadow,” dwelling in that “secret place,” that no others could see, I rest in Christ. I trust in Him all the way. Others looking at me then would think “Oh that poor fellow.” Yet, when my loved one drew her last breath while I was holding her in my arms, a great peace washed over me, I was filled with The Holy Spirit, and there were no tears that night. I just knew that everything went the way we had prayed, and that was such a great comfort. To the believer, the shadow is protection, opportunity. To the non believer, the shadow is a tragedy with no hope. And this is what makes it “secret.”
In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter (pavilion) from the strife of tongues. (Psalms 31:20 AMP)
those that fear the Lord and trust in him; are therefore called his “hidden ones”, Psalms 83:3; these the Lord preserves in times of trouble and danger, and when his indignation is out against others. The Targum reads, “in the time of thine anger;” see Isa 26:20; the presence of God is their protection, he himself is a wall of fire round about them, his favor compasses them as a shield, and they are kept as in a garrison by his power; (see Psalms 91:1); protected “from the pride of man”, which otherwise would at once oppress, bear them down, and destroy them, Psalms 124:1
They concoct crafty schemes against Your people, And conspire together against Your hidden and precious ones. (Psalms 83:3), not hidden from the Lord, and unknown unto him, though. But from their enemies, and being unknown by them, the object of their hatred and persecution; but hidden by him as his jewels and peculiar treasure, which he takes care of; hidden under the shadow of his wings, in the secret of his presence and tabernacle, as in a pavilion; and therefore it was a daring piece of insolence in their enemies to attack them: so the life of saints is said to be hid with Christ in God, which denotes both its secrecy and safety; see Col 3:3
“For you died, and your life is now HIDDEN with Christ in God.”
To “think about the things of heaven” (Col 3:2) means to look at life from God’s perspective and to seek what he desires. This would certainly be the “secret place” where God’s people live “under the shadow.”
It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), every day’s experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {Ed 80.3}
Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {HP 83.3}
Pray with humble hearts. Seek the Lord often in prayer. In the secret place, alone, the eye sees Jesus and the ear is opened to Jesus. You come forth from the secret place of prayer to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Temptations come, but you press closer and still closer to the side of Jesus and place your hand in His hand. Then you gain a rich experience, resting in His love and rejoicing in His mercy. The worries and perplexities and cares are gone, and you rejoice in Jesus Christ. The soul is quick to hear the Father’s voice, and you will commune with God. All criticism is banished, all judging of others has been expelled from the soul.{HP 86.4}