September 11, 2024

The Secret Place

Every believer loves the Psalms. Even many non-believers love these treasure troves of praise to Yahweh and hope for the future. Psalm 23 has guided millions through “the valley of the shadow of death,” and the 51st Psalm has led many out of guilt and into recovery. Another favorite is Psalm 91, the great psalm of protection.

I led 150 Bible school students on an outreach to Mardi Gras in New Orleans many years ago. Among the tens of thousands that descend on Bourbon Street every night to party and revel, there are some who are miserable, desperate, and ripe for something genuine to replace their despair and misery. We engaged them and shared Christ’s love, prayed for those who wanted it, and led several to Jesus. 

Violence also occurred at Mardi Gras, and it hosted more demons per square inch than you can imagine. So, I required every student to meditate on and memorize Psalm 91. By the time we went, it was planted in their heart and firmly embedded in their memory. 

Though I always include Scripture references in the posts, I don’t typically quote many of them. And even more seldom do I quote lengthy passages, simply for reasons of space. I feel that those who want to read them will do so later. Today, however, I feel led to read Psalm 91 in its entirety. In this season, all believers should know and memorize this amazing passage, and also declare it regularly over themselves and their families. 

I am quoting it from The Passion Translation, which brings this psalm alive in wonderful ways. The footnotes in this translation - explaining why they’ve translated words as they have - are invaluable. If you don’t have this excellent Bible translation, do yourself a favor and pick one up. (They haven’t yet completed the entire Bible, but have completed all of the New Testament and several of the Old Testament books - I believe twelve of them.) Here is Psalm 91 from The Passion Translation:

“When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. 

“He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. 

“He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and He will protect you from false accusations and any deadly curse. 

“His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under His covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. 

“You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. 

“Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you. 

“Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. 

“You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done! 

“When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then, could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? 

“God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. 

“If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. 

“You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! 

“For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved Me, delighted in Me, and have been loyal to My name, I will greatly protect you. 

“I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel My presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. 

“I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of My salvation!” (Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

In one of their footnotes, the translators of TPT say that “Shaddai” in verse one could be translated as: “God of the Mountain,” “God the Destroyer of Enemies,” “God the Self-Sufficient One,” “God the Nurturer of Babies,” or “God the Almighty.” Incredible. Our amazing God is all we need for any and every situation. His awesome power destroys His enemies and nurtures babies! He is self-sufficient and is our sufficiency. We need no other!

The translators also point out that verses 5-6 speak of protection from both natural and supernatural dangers. Plagues, diseases, accidents, demonic plots, and plans - God will protect us from them all. His angels assist Him in doing so. 

And how about verse 15: He’ll answer our cry for help every time we pray, and we’ll feel His presence in our times of trouble. This psalm is beyond wonderful; it is magnificent!

I feel that the season we are entering could be challenging. God’s Word is our foundation, anchoring us to Him. Say of God daily: “He is my refuge and fortress, no evil will befall me! He and His angels keep me and mine in ALL of our ways!” (verses 2, 10, 11). Make this powerful psalm yours today! 

Pray with me:

Father, You are our strength and protection in times of trouble. We can say with the psalmist, David, that because we walk with You, we fear no evil. We are not afraid of any shaking that comes to America and/or other nations. We are not afraid of terrorism. We are not afraid of evil leaders here or elsewhere. We are not afraid of disease or of having accidents. We fear no evil.

We thank You for the angels assigned to us. They are many, and they are powerful. Not only do they have much experience, they are led by our great Helper, the Holy Spirit. We thank You, Most High God: "God of the Mountain," "God the Destroyer of Enemies," "God the Self-Sufficient One," "God the Nurturer of Babies," and "God the Almighty," for being our Father. We are secure with You. 

We also ask for Your protection over our leaders. We ask this for those in Congress, on the Supreme Court, the President, and those running for President. We continue to feel urgent and regular prayer is needed for Trump and those around him. Please protect them all, Father. 

And we ask for Your protection from another 9/11. We know terrorists are in our nation; expose and thwart their plans. Protect us, we pray, in Jesus name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that we dwell in the secret place of the Most High God, and are protected from all evil.

After writing today’s post I was made aware by Intercessors for America of something important I felt we should add to the prayer. 

Safeguard Our Elections from Non-Citizens Voting

"Fifty-one and a half-a-million people in this country are non-citizens — the highest percentage in the history of our nation,”  Representative Chip Roy (TX) warns.  Even if a small percentage of those non-citizens and illegals vote in our elections, the process is tainted, and our elections are no longer a privilege for citizens as part of the process of self-governance, but subject to the potential influence of foreign governments, illegal invaders, and outside interests. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act can help.

The House votes on the SAVE Act today! (It is attached to the fall spending bill to help with its passage.) As election integrity is of the utmost importance, the SAVE Act would make it harder for non-citizens to vote.  Let's pray for the integrity of the election cycle and systems that make it hard to cheat yet easy for eligible citizen voters to turn out in large numbers!

Lord, we ask you to move on the hearts of enough House members to pass the SAVE act. We are grateful for the privilege of voting, and we ask You to help us restore integrity to this awesome right in every way possible. In Christ’s name, amen.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.