“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
—Psalm 91:1-2
THE PSALMIST IS not speaking about the future home of the redeemed in Heaven, but what is true of every believer right now. The psalmist wouldn’t speak of “my refuge” and “my fortress” in Heaven because in Heaven no refuge or fortress is necessary since all suffering, danger, and death are defeated. In Heaven the saints of God shall dwell in eternal peace forever and ever. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
PSALM 91 SPEAKS of the here and now when every believer needs a refuge and fortress of shelter while we live in this present evil world and are afflicted by pain, suffering, and sorrow. The psalmist says we have such a place, a secret place under the shadow of the Almighty where we find refuge, fortress, peace, comfort, and joy even amidst suffering and trials. Our text simply states a factual truth of every believer, “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” We see this same truth taught in Psalm 27:5, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me…”
IS THIS TRUE about your life? Are you dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty? Is the Lord God Almighty the One in whom you find shelter when suffering, sickness, trials, tears, and tribulation come upon you? The word “secret” implies a place that is known only to the Most High and those who dwell there. Do you know this place and the only way of entrance? To dwell in the secret place and under the shadow of the Almighty means to trust in Jesus Christ. Only abiding in Him is there safety, peace, comfort, hope, strength, and joy in this fallen, sin-cursed world. Jesus said in John 10, “I am the Good Shepherd, no one can snatch out of my hand.” And in 1 Peter 1:3 we read, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” Jesus declared in John 15, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full.” And again, in John 16, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace…” In Jesus Christ alone, God gives His people refuge and shelter from all storms in this life. Are you dwelling safely and securely in Jesus Christ? Trust Him this day and always for He is our only Rock and Refuge “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Romans 2:16).
Friday Devotional: November 1, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry