A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of July 6-10, 2020
MONDAY
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
The secret place of the Most High. Sounds unattainable to most of us. It is by human means, but it is very attainable by faith. Everything that God provides is attainable by faith in His word. But imagine dwelling with God in a place that nobody knows about.
What is the secret place of the Most High? It has to be a state of being, a zone, a realm in which a person is so perfectly at peace that nothing can disturb him or move him out. It is a wonderful place of contentment, peace, power, and love. It is a condition of the spirit and soul that allows us to ignore, be oblivious to, or laugh at the antics of the enemy.
It is a place of highest contentment and security. It is a place of confidence in God. It is a real place, and not just a mere feeling. Feelings come and go, but this is a place where one can live. It is a place of residence in God. Aaah, the Secret Place.
Why is it a secret? Because it is hard to put into words. Revealed things can be explained. Secret things can only be described in part. They must be experienced to be appreciated.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Malachi 4:2 ~ But to you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
July 6: Joshua 8, Psalms 139, Jeremiah 2, Matthew 16
July 7: Joshua 9, Psalms 140-141, Jeremiah 3, Matthew 17
July 8: Joshua 10, Psalms 142-143, Jeremiah 4, Matthew 18
July 9: Joshua 11, Psalms 144, Jeremiah 5, Matthew 19
July 10: Joshua 12-13, Psalms 145, Jeremiah 6, Matthew 20
July 11: Joshua 14-15, Psalms 146-147, Jeremiah 7, Matthew 21
July 12: Joshua 16-17, Psalms 148, Jeremiah 8, Matthew 22
TUESDAY
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
Psalm 91:2-3
So how does one enter the secret place? We said by faith, but verse 2 gives us a clue. You enter by what you say. Your world is framed by the words of your mouth. When you say, “Lord, you are my refuge. I don’t need any other protection,” God hears you, and you have access to the Secret Place of the Most High. Your heart is fixed, trusting in God.
When God is the one in whom you trust, you need not be afraid of any thing. When you trust only in God, He will surely deliver you, even from unseen dangers. The snare of the fowler was one of the hidden dangers that plagued unsuspecting pedestrians. People caught game birds in traps known as snares. An unsuspecting person could step in one of these traps. Alone in a field without help, one could easily perish in the trap. God even promises to deliver us from such snares. He will send angels to help us even after we have stepped into the snare. This is good to know.
Many times the enemy lays hidden snares for us that we may walk into. A co-worker may try to set us up to be fired. A loved one may misinterpret what you say and cause discord and disharmony. Another believer may start a rumor about you that is hard to extinguish. These are all snares that the enemy lays for us. Never fear, just say of the Lord, “Jesus, you are my refuge. I trust only in you.” When you do this in faith, God will totally deliver you.
WEDNESDAY
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4
When you have made the Lord your refuge, by calling upon the name of the Lord as your only hope, then he lets down his big wing and covers you with his feathers. Feathers are for protection of the bird. They cover his skin and other parts of the body. Feathers shield the body from the elements, even when they are contrary to him. Imagine being covered with God’s protection.
Whatever protects God is protecting you. You are entitled to the same immunity from destruction that God enjoys. He places His protective arm over you and all the evil that the devil wants to hurl against you is deflected off His protective wing. When God protects you, He protects you all over. You inward man is protected because he dwells where God dwells, but what about your outward man? He is protected by the word of God, God’s truth. It becomes a shield to protect our minds from the negative thoughts of the enemy.
What we think is very important. If you are in a bomb shelter, your body is protected, but your mind may be screaming with fear. The mental anguish may be unbearable. Not so in the secret place. You only know what God says about you and your situation. His truth is a shield for you. Evil thoughts do not find a dwelling place.
THURSDAY
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:5-6
When the Lord shields your mind, you walk in a confidence toward God that does not allow the enemy to place fear inside you. Recently I read of a beautiful four-year-old girl who was killed in her home by a drive-by shooter. This is the terror by night. Some people fear burglars breaking in the middle of the night. You shall not fear these things when your trust is in God, and you dwell with Him by faith.
Recent concerns about a global pandemic have closed down businesses in our cities. Does this trouble you? It might if you do not make the Lord your refuge. How about the shootings in schools or the workplace… those destructive things that waste lives at noonday? You will not be afraid of any of these terrors because you dwell in a place of peace comfort and safety that surpasses knowledge and understanding.
FRIDAY
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
Psalm 91:7-8
You must have protection for your mind. You may find yourself in a situation of disaster. As many as 11,000 people may be killed all around you but you will not be harmed. I think of some of the worst types of disaster that have occurred: The black death of the Middle Ages, The Civil War, September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, or the great Chicago and San Francisco fires. All of these disasters killed many people. However, some survived. Were they dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High? I believe they had made the Lord their refuge.
Many times our daily prayers lay the groundwork for our day.
I recall the story of the man who survived the runway collision of two airplanes in 1977. Norman Williams prayed with his mother prior to boarding the plane. This was not unusual. They always prayed when parting. This time, however, the prayer was different. Through several miracles, Mr. Williams limped away from the wreckage of the plane where 333 of the 394 people on board were killed. The prayer of agreement that he and his mother prayed caused him to enter into the Secret Place of the Most High.
Believe God has a place of protection for you no matter what the situation. You enter by saying of the Lord, “You are my Hiding Place.” He will cover you. Trust Him.