(1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
As we begin to look at this passage from scripture, I'd like to point out some of the things that dwell means, when translated from the original language. The word can mean to sit down, to remain, to abide, to continue, and to endure, among other things.
Read through the scripture again. There are so many promises in there for God's protection and His constant care and keeping. But, if you look, you'll see that this scripture is for those that dwell in the secret place of the most High. It is for those that sit down and remain there. They continue no matter what else calls them away. They endure through all things. They don't leave. These people will find God to be a refuge and fortress. These people will not fear because they have God's presence always. Look at verse 9: “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you...” You have made God your dwelling place. You've made Him your refuge. In His presence is where you stay continually. You know God. And it is of this person that God speaks in verses 14-16. I will deliver him. I will set him on high. I will answer him. I will be with him. I will honor him. I will satisfy him with long life. I will show him my salvation.
Wow. I want those promises. I want it to be said of me, “He has known God's name.” (v. 14) These are all great and wonderful promises. They are great things to think about and most certainly a comfort in times of trial and hardship or persecution or temptation. God is always there. But His presence is always near me because I have chosen to stay where He wants me to be. I've been thinking about this the past few days. How often does God tell us what His will is and instead of putting ourselves there where He wants us, we make our own plans and forget about His. Here are some thoughts from Matthew Henry regarding abiding in the secret place and the promised result:
1. It is the character of a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the Most High; he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest; he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude. 2. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shelters them, and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance, but a residence, under God's protection; he will be their rest and refuge for ever.
Are you at home in God or are you always itching to run off and do something else? Do you always set out with your day to do the will of God, but find that the best laid intentions didn't turn out so hot? Do you dwell in the secret place or do you wander to and fro? God's got some great promises here, but they're spoken to the one that has set his/her love before God and has chosen to continue in God's place. Where are you? God loves you and wants you in His presence and in His will.
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