Abiding Under God’s Shadow Ps. 91:1 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

As Christians, we are supposed to walk in God’s light when we have fellowship with him [1 Jn 1:6-7].  However, the light of his glory is a “light which no man can approach unto,” [1 Tim 6:15-16].  Only Jesus can dwell in that light.  Therefore, to draw close to God in his light, we need to approach him “under the shadow of the Almighty,” [Ps 91:1].  The Psalmist said, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”   We dwell in the Lord’s secret place in prayer.

Last Wednesday we looked ay Ps 91:1 and simply made the point that prayer is the means by which we can dwell in the secret place of the most High, because prayer is done in secret [Matt 6:6].  We should have a private place in our homes dedicated solely to fellowship with the Almighty.

Today, let’s look at the verse again and see what else we can glean from it.  We abide under the shadow of the Almighty by:

Individual Prayer – “he” – this is addressed to an individual.  In other words, each of us must pray regardless whether others wish to join us.  Some people don’t go as far as they can spiritually because they are waiting on their spouse or their children or their parents or their friends to grow with them.  The Lord didn’t say “they.”  He said, “he.”  You must abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  You must meet the Lord in prayer, yourself.

Continual Prayer – “dwelleth” – this isn’t coming to the Lord from time to time to pray, or coming only in desperation.  This is dwelling in prayer.  In other words, you are meeting the Lord regularly, as often as he wants to meet with you, and as often as you can.  Daily, three times a day [Ps 55:17; Dan 6:10].  These regular seasons, rather than sudden bursts, of prayer result in answers [Lk 18:5].

Extended Prayer – “dwelleth” – don’t be in a hurry to rush off.  Don’t set a time limit. Take time.  Fellowship with God in prayer.

Secret Prayer – “secret place” – Jesus said, “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly,” [Matt 6:6].

The Lord seeth in secret.  Furthermore, the Lord’s name is secret [Jud 13:17-19]. Compare this word “secret” with the word “wonderful” in Is 9:6; they are the same word.  When you pray in secret the Lord will do wondrously, like the angel of the Lord did when he went up from the sacrifice.  Also, the Lord sees our secret sins [Ps 90:8], so that in this time of prayer we can see them in his light and the Lord can cleanse us from secret faults [Ps 19:12].  Get those things out to enjoy better fellowship with the Lord, more power in prayer and get them out of the way before the judgment [Rom 2:16].  These secret sins and faults cause us so much trouble in our relationship with the Lord and these are the things that go in secret prayer with the Lord.

Conclusion: the Lord has given us a great personal invitation to dwell with him in his secret place under his shadow.  Let’s take him up on this in our time of secret prayer.