The Secret Place of the Most High by James Ryle

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).




There were many games we played as children: Dodge Ball, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Simon Says (now known as “American Idol”), Red Rover, Hopscotch, and many others. Of them all, Hide n’ Go Seek remains one of the universal favorites to this day. There is just something special about finding the perfect hiding place; a place where you can see, but not be seen; a place no one would ever even think to look. A place that always causes you to emerge as the winner.

We have just such a hiding place in God!

“You are my hiding place,” wrote David. “You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation.” (Psa 32:7). The imagery of this recurrent theme fills much of his writings. Elsewhere David said, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psa 27:5).

David gives a proven word of promise for all those who fear the Lord, who trust in Him before the eyes of a disbelieving world — “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.” (Psa 31:20).

He knew this from his own personal experience when he fled for his life from insane Saul, and found God’s presence in the cave – “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in You: yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” (Psa 57:1).

In the darkness of the mountain cave, David found the nearness of God’s presence. Could it be that the darkness you feel surrounding you even now may in fact be the very shadow of His wings. It is the perfect hiding place!

Why not make this your confession today – “How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. (Psa 36:7, and Psa 61:3-4).