Fall 2000
Hid in the Lord’s Presence
Charles Haun

"He that dwells in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will
say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1-2.

This speaks of the person who daily abides under the impact of the Almighty, rather than responding to the pressures of life's storms.

In Psalm 61:4 David says, "I will trust (make my refuge) in the covert (secret place) of Thy wings." This is a special place provided by the Lord, in which a troubled heart can put its trust.

David said,

"Jehovah is my hiding place ... from trouble." Psalm 32:7.

There is no better hiding place. Here, the Lord will safely hide us away from the conspiracies of man. The Lord so effectively hid Baruch and Jeremiah, that the king himself could not find them (Jer 36:26).

"And he was with them, hid in the house
of God six years" II Chron 22:12.

Joash was taken from place to place, specifically for the purpose of hiding. He was brought from a bedchamber (verse 11) to the house of God. Although Joash was hidden in a public place, he was not found.

In contrast, the same word is used in II Chron 22:9a.

“And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he
was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu.”

A place of safety made by ourselves will never be as effective as that which the Lord provides.

In Psalm 31:20b, the word "secretly" means "as a hid treasure." This reveals the Lord's evaluation of those who are within the secret place - they are safely hid in His presence. In Psalm 27:5 it is again used; "He shall hide me as a treasure in His pavilion."

The way into this "secret place” is found in Isaiah 49:2,

"In the shadow of His hand, He hid me."

This means that there is an activity (His hand) on the Lord's part, to bring us from one place to another. The word “shadow” is used, as He does this in secret. It also speaks of darkness. Though we may not understand what is taking place, He is bringing us closer to Himself.

"He made darkness His secret place. His pavilion
round about him are dark waters and thick clouds
of the skies" Psalm 18:11.

How then, do we get to this secret place? We must be brought there by the Lord, as we cannot find it of ourselves. Jeremiah said, "He has led me and brought me into darkness, but not into light." The thick cloud was upon Mount Sinai. The people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 19:16; 20:21.

Because it means our passing through darkness, many do not have the courage, the stamina, nor the faith, to move into the secret place.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with
you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
you: when you walk through the fire, you shalt not
be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon
you” Isa 43:2.

If you are in a hard place, read this chapter in Isaiah, take courage and rest in your trust in the Lord. He will meet you there, and bring you into the secret place of rest in His presence.