Sermons
January 30th, 2022 by Pastor Solley013022AM Our Secret Place
Sub. A secret place
Theme: A secret place with Jesus.
Text: Psalm 91
“Our Secret Place” Psalm 91
Introduction
I want to speak to you this morning about a secret place that doesn’t need to be so secret. A secret is something that is not openly seen or known, something that is not to be known or seen by others. The Webster 1828 dictionary defines a secret as something concealed from notice or knowledge of all persons except the individual or individuals concerned. Most all of us have had secrets we have had or tried to keep. Some of us secret places we like or liked to go when we wanted to be alone. We know what a secret is.
I. Psalm 91 speaks of a secret place: Ps 91:1-16 This is a precious Psalm in that it gives to us our 911 number. – Ps 91:11 – I could not begin to count the number of times I have turned to this Psalm, dialed this 911 number. – Ps 91:11
A. This Psalm does speak of a secret place: Ps 91:1 We know what a secret is or a secret place is. Something that is not openly seen or known, something kept from knowledge of all persons except from the individual or individuals concerned.
1. But the Hebrew word translated secret place in this Psalm means something different: It means a place of covering, a place of protection, a covert or covering, a hiding place. It was a place where one would be protected, covered, hid, when the storms of life were raging. The Psalmist, be it David or another was very familiar with this secret place. Notice some of the other places in the book of Psalms we fine this Hebrew word used.
a. Ps 27:5 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.
b. Ps 31:20 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.
c. Ps 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
d. Ps 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
2. So we find in this Psalm a reference to a secret place, but not a place to be kept secret: Ps 91:1 We find a place of covering, a place of protection, a covert or covering, a hiding place. A place where one can be protected, covered, hid, when when the storms of life are raging around us, when the waves of trouble seem to be sweeping over us. Here we find a secret place.
B. How many were the times David sought refuge in this secret place? How many were the times David cried out for help. – Ps 91:15
And how many were time times that prayer was answered and David found protection and deliverance in his secret place?
II. I want to look this morning at our secret place: Ps 91:1 Does this make reference to a hiding place for us as believers in Christ today? Do we still have a place of refuge? Can we find a covering from the storms of life as the Psalmist did? Is there a secret place for us and if there is how can we find it. I want to look at our secret place today.
PROP: Are you in need of a secret place today? TS: We find one here in Psalm 91, a secret place that doesn’t need to be so secret.
Body
I. Let us first go back to the time when Psalm 91 was given, to when the secret place was revealed: Ps 91:1 David may or may not be the man God chose to write down these words given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but the time frame is the same. This was given at a time when Israel was to gather at the tabernacle to meet with God. Redeemed men and women had access to Jehovah at other places as well even as we do today. God was not limited to the tabernacle just as God is not limited to a place of worship today.
A. But the tabernacle did house the presence of God and Israel was to go to the tabernacle for worship: But to enter into the dwelling place of God was limited to a certain few and into the very presence of God to one in particular. As a result there was a sense of secrecy about the tabernacle, about the presence of God.
1. The tabernacle hade a courtyard: The entrance to that courtyard was through a wide gate and so all of Israel could gain access. Just inside the gate was the brazen altar of sacrifice where blood was shed. To enter in, a sacrifice was brought, blood was shed, and one entered by blood. The gate allowed all who desired to enter in.
2. Moving past that brazen altar one came to a cleansing laver: Here the priest who received that sacrifice from the people and offered it before Jehovah God would wash before going on toward the tabernacle tent. The people would watch as the priest moved past them, moved toward the tent of the tabernacle. But they had to stop.
3. The priest entered the tabernacle itself on behalf of the people: But only the Levitical Priest could enter, the people had to remain outside. So all that was within that tabernacle was a mystery of sorts to the people, a secret. They knew of the table of shewbread, of the golden candlestick, of the altar of incense, but they could not see them, could not experience what was behind the door, they could never see the beauty of the tabernacle, all was a mystery, a secret to the people.
-2-
4. Within that tabernacle there was a curtain that separated the Holy of Holies: Behind that curtain was the mercy seat that sat upon the ark of the covenant and within that were the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna. But more important, the ark housed the presence of God. To stand within the Holy of Holies was to stand in the presence of Jehovah God.
a. Now only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies.
b. Even the other priest serving inside the tabernacle could only watch as the High Priest went behind the veil to meet with God.
5. So this tabernacle was a mystery to all but only one: There was a secrecy about the tabernacle, it was a secret place.
B. So when David writes about meeting with God in a secret place there was much meaning to that to the Hebrew people: Ps 91:1 David was not a Levite, not a priest, how could David enter into that secret place, into the presence of the Almighty? – Ps 91:1
C. Go back to when this Psalm was written and the presence of God was a secret place: The people would take note when David spoke of going into that secret place to meet with God Almighty.
II. But today the believer in Christ has access to that secret place at any and all times: Access for the born again believer in Christ into the secret place is never blocked because we have a better way of entry. – Heb 10:19-22 – In order to fully appreciate what is set before us in Psalm 91 we must look back at what they didn’t have and now praise God for what we do have in Christ.
A. For the New Testament Hebrew believer there is much symbolism here: That is why we went back to the secret of the tabernacle.
1. We see here the holiest place, the Holy of Holies, the place of the presence of God: Heb 10:19 When Psalm 91 was given, when it spoke of coming into the very presence of God, all were blocked except for the High Priest. But now we as believers in Christ have been given access and have a boldness to enter in. – Heb 10:19 – That word boldness does not mean we belong there, but that we can enter in without fear because we are in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ belongs there.
a. For any who entered into that place unworthily in the Old Testament it meant death.
b. But today we can enter in with boldness because we are worthy who stand in Jesus Christ.
2. We have a new and living way to enter in: Heb 10:20 The sacrifice for our sin was not burnt on an altar, was not thrown on a rubbish heap, is not dead in a grave, we have a new and living way. – Heb 10:20
3. Our High Priest is Jesus Christ and He does not make us stand on the outside, He invites us into the secret place: Heb 10:21-22 Our sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, our lives cleansed by His Word, we are now invited in.
4. So let us grab onto to Jesus and not let go: Heb 10:23
B. Jesus has opened unto all a new and better way:1 Peter 1:18-19 But if we are going to enter into that secret place, if we are going to make it our secret place we must come to Jesus Christ, we must find redemption in Jesus Christ.
1. Access is barred to us just as it was to the Hebrew of the Old Testament: They were barred because they were not born a Levite. We are barred because we are not born again.
2. But Jesus Christ removed the veil, tore it from top to bottom and all who know Him may enter in today: So today before we go on and look deeper into our secret place be sure you are born again.
3. For the believer in Christ today we have access to that secret place at any and all times:
C. But will we come into that secret place, will we make it our secret place? In David’s day the people would come to the tabernacle, they would enter the gate, but then they would have to stop. They would watch the priest enter the tabernacle, hear how the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and stand in the presence of God. But all they could do was look and wonder, it was a secret kept from them. Now the way is open, the secret can be ours, but will we make it our secret place?
1. So many today who profess to know Jesus as their personal savior make a decision not to enter the secret place: Access is granted, an invitation given, but many make a decision not to enter in. Notice once again this first verse. – Ps 91:1 – There are two words in this verse that for one reason or another present a barrier to some professing Christians.
2. In order to make this secret place our secret place our dwelling must be with Christ: Ps 91:1 It means we are continually with Him, constantly with Him, He is our life, our dwelling place.
a. My physical dwelling place is 155 Nellies RD Grampian. It has been since October 1984 and it has not changed. If you want to get hold of me that should be the first place you look, my dwelling place.
b. The one I dwell with is right in front of me this morning. You want to find me, look for her.
c. For me to enter into the secret place my dwelling must be with Jesus Christ.
d. Who is your dwelling place today, where is your dwelling place today? Many choose to dwell in other places.
2. In order to make this secret place our secret place we must abide with Him: Ps 91:1 It is not the same thing. To abide with Him means I am never going to turn away from Him.
a. We are not moving from one to another, we abide in Christ.
b. We have no plans to ever turn away, we abide in Christ.
c. If we are to make the secret place our secret place we must determine to dwell and abide in Christ.
-3-
3. Is Christ your dwelling place, are you abiding with Him? Most, if not all will say yes to that this morning, that Christ is our dwelling place, that we are abiding with Him. But are we really?
a. How much time and attention did you give to your dwelling place this past week? In my earthy dwelling place I did something everyday. I built a fire, kept it going all day, moved snow away from steps, out of the driveway. Dishes were done, floors were swept, made some minor repairs. My earthly dwelling place received a lot of attention this past week. What of my dwelling with my savior?
(1) How much of my time and attention did I give to Jesus? How much time in prayer, how much time in His Word, did I ask Him to help me make any repairs in my spiritual life?
(2) If He is my dwelling place He will receive much time and attention.
b. Could I say I was and am abiding with Him? That just as He has promised to never leave my side, was I close by His side?
(1) My wife knew I was near by all week, I abode with her.
(2) Did Jesus know I was near to Him all week? Was I abiding in Him?
D. We do have access to the secret place: Ps 91:1 But will we make it our secret place? Will we make Christ our dwelling place, will we abide with Him?
III. When I make Him my secret place, when He is our secret place He becomes our refuge and our fortress: Ps 91:1-2 These are two very interesting words and they do reveal if we have made Christ our secret place.
A. The Hebrew word translated refuge means to be sheltered and given hope: Ps 91:2 It corresponds to what we see in verse one, coming under a shadow, and what we see in verse four, being covered. – Ps 91:1 , 4 – The Psalmist, if it was David and the language suggests that it was, certainly know the importance of making the Lord his refuge. – Ps 14:6 ; Ps 61:3 ; Ps 62:7-8 ; Ps 142:5 – David is identified as the one who wrote down those words. He knew the importance of making the Lord His refuge.
1. When we make the Lord our refuge it means we turn to Him first, trust Him most when trouble arises: Ps 91:2 When He is my refuge I will turn to Him first and trust Him most. And it does not matter what form the trouble takes, many are seen in this chapter that we will look at, but I will turn to Him first and trust Him most.
2. Why has this disappeared from the lives of many Christians today? Some of the things we are facing are new today but that does not mean we turn away from Lord as if God doesn’t know what to do in the face of new challenges.
a. Many Christians have told me over the past two years that we need to trust the science. We need to trust God first.
b. Many have told me that the medical field has my best interest at heart. Jesus has my best interest at heart.
c. Some have even told me the government puts out what is true. Truth can only be found in the Word of God.
(1) Science is not always wrong. I am recovering from knee surgery, I go to Hillman cancer center next week, I will listen to what the doctors say most likely. Science is not always wrong.
(2) But Jesus Christ and the Word of God is never wrong. So who should I trust first and most?
4. When I make Jesus my refuge, when I go to my secret place I find shelter and hope no matter what the trouble may be: Ps 91:2 Our troubles will vary but when we are tempted to turn away from the Lord the enemy is a common one. Satan will use things old and will use things new to turn both the lost and the saved away from Jesus Christ.
5. Who is your refuge today, where is your refuge today?
B. The Hebrew word translated fortress means to be captured and held in a secure place: Ps 91:2 It is translated as “Strong hold” in 1 Sam5:7. It is translated as a “Strong place” in Job 39:28. It is also translated as castle and fort. It means to be held in a strong and secure place and it points if you would to a permanent incarceration, a place of no escape. That should point to these things as we think of making Christ our secret place, our fortress.
1. Our troubles can never overcome Jesus Christ, He is our fortress: The things that come upon us in this life can easily overcome us. – Ps 91:3-7 – The troubles of life, be they new or old, things that are natural or not, can easily overcome us, but not our fortress.
2. I would be foolish to try and step out of my fortress: Ps 144:1-2 When I have a secure place, when I am within the walls of a castle, I would be foolish to step outside of my fortress.
a. I find nothing but good within the walls of my fortress. – Ps 144:2
b. Those things I must battle are all coming from the outside, not the inside. – Ps 144:1 – The battle comes from the outside never the inside of my fortress. Why then would I step outside?
3. Remember, a permanent incarceration as far as Jesus Christ is concerned: He will never let us go, never put us out, we are held secure in our fortress, in our God.
a. No enemy can storm the gates, scale the walls and remove us from our fortress. It is a permanent incarceration.
b. No enemy can sneak through under cover of darkness and removes us from our fortress. It is a permanent incarceration.
c. No enemy can bribe the keeper of the gate and have us turned out. It is a permanent incarceration.
4. We are held in a secure place, captured and protected: Ps 91:2
C. When I make Him my secret place, when He is our secret place He becomes our refuge and our fortress: Ps 91:1-2
-4-
IV. Why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? Ps 91:1 These things being true, why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? He is a secret place that doesn’t need to be so secret. Why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? I cannot answer that question this morning.
A. Why would people rather remain lost in sin, reject Jesus Christ, when He can be their secret place? I can’t answer that.
1. I was not saved the moment I could understand the gospel, the moment I realized I needed a savior, the moment I knew who Jesus is and what He did for me: I was not saved at that moment but I thank Jesus today that I did realize He alone could save me and be my redeemer. I can’t understand what people would rather remain lost?
2. I can’t understand, on this side of salvation, why people would rather remain lost:
B. I can’t understand why professing Christians would turn away from Christ: So many I know who have become bitter because of the circumstances of life, because of troubles that have come into their lives and turned away from Christ. Why?
1. Can’t they see the troubles have come from the outside, never the inside of the fortress?
2. Can’t they see the troubles only worsen when they step outside the walls of their fortress?
3. Can’t they feel the arms of Jesus wrapped around them, arms of love that will never let them go:
4. I can’t understand why any would want to step outside their fortress:
C. I can’t understand why some don’t want to take refuge in Christ, trust the Lord first and always: I don’t understand all that is going on. Truth be told I understand very little of what is going on today.
1. But I should know who I can trust: Prov 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
2. I do know there is one who will never lead me astray: Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
3. I can’t understand why any would take refuge in another:
D. Why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? Ps 91:1
Conclusion
Having looked now at the first few verses of Psalm 91 what can we say?
I. When this precious Psalm was given to be with God, in the presence of God, was a secret place: Ps 91:1 We go back to the time of the tabernacle when access to the presence of God was limited. Only a few permitted to enter into the tabernacle and then only one into the presence of God.
II. But today Jesus Christ grants us access to the very presence of God, to the secret place by His shed blood: We can access to the presence of God when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal savior.
III. When I make Him my secret place, when He is our secret place He becomes our refuge and our fortress: Ps 91:1-2 These are two very interesting words and they do reveal if we have made Christ our secret place.
A. Refuge because He is one I can trust at all times:
B. My fortress because I am secure in Christ:
IV. Why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? Ps 91:1 These things being true, why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? He is a secret place that doesn’t need to be so secret. Why wouldn’t we then make Jesus Christ our secret place? I cannot answer that question this morning.