THE SECRET PLACE (4)

“In the SECRET PLACE of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock” – Psalm 27:5b

God’s Call to THE SECRET PLACE is not only for sharing His with us but also to hide and protect us: “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the SECRET PLACE of His tabernacle He shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock” (Psa.27:5). The preceding verse underlines the primacy of dwelling in the Secret Place: “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may DWELL in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (v.4). He would not only be hidden in a secret place of a pavilion; he would also be set high upon a rock, untouchable to the enemies.

Much of David’s life was spent hiding from enemies. He was sometimes very dispirited with his situations and often wrote of being surrounded by enemies who wanted to kill him – yet he knew he was hidden by the Lord (vv.1-3). He had to learn this from experience. God taught David that He had the power to hide him, by creating real scenarios where he would have to make the decision not to fear – in spite of terrific odds against him. As he encountered powerful conflicts that were impossible in human terms, he learned to trust God’s Word and praise Him: “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of Joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord” (v.6).

David was always careful to thank the Lord for His lovingkindness. In Psalm 63 for example, David searched for God and longed for His presence in a dry and thirsty land. He was isolated in the wilderness because others were seeking to destroy his life. Yet, even in a forsaken desert place, he declared that God’s lovingkindness was better than life. He was determined that his lips would praise God as long as he live, and he would lift up his hands in the Name of the Lord. His soul was satisfied and he was joyful (Psa.63: 3-4).

Having been helped in the past, David recognized God as his constant Help. He knew that the safest place to be was in the Lord’s shadow – close enough for the Lord to hold him up with His right hand. When we are in a place of physical or emotional despair, it’s good to recall when God has helped us or others in past times of need. Whatever our situations are, the Lord is able to hide us and help us. His invisible presence will strengthen us. When we’re close to Him, nothing can harm us; no one can stand against us from seeing His goodness in the land of the living (vv.13-14).