The Psalms can quite often put words together more eloquently to what is stirring in our souls.  There are numerous times I’ve flicked through the pages of that incredible book of songs and poetry to find something that resonates deep down.

Today I read Psalm 91..

It’s almost impossible to read it and not actually get excited. It’s loaded with promises and good things for us as the people of God… what’s not to love about a God who holds, rescues and delivers us from trouble.

Many of us know trouble only too well and a Psalm like this can offer some sort of relief and calm in a moment of chaos. Perhaps it’s as simple as reminding our souls that the one who saves is close by, aware and more importantly is the one cheering us on through it all.

But I’m pausing at verse 1 today… a moment of leaning in, keen to learn and understand.

He who dwells….  She who dwells…. They who dwell…

DWELLING, in so many ways is a condtion laid out.  We experience all of this goodness and in a way benefit from God – but we only experience that when we are dwelling. When we are deep into that secret place with Him.. that’s the place and space for this experience.  It’s intimate, personal and close. The secret place of knowing. A knowing that goes beyond knowledge and moves to an experiential awareness of a known concept.

We have a choice…

We are called, not forced into dwelling.

I know all too well how quickly peace in my heart can come and go.  Over the years I’ve found it no coincidence that all of this correlates to how close I’m choosing to be to the Lord. In moments of panic, chaos and the great unknown, I know I’m growing by the measure of time it takes me to run into His presence.  I’m learning to do that quickly. It’s not the last thing to do when nothing else is working, it has to be the first. He has to be the first.

Let’s be people who “know” what it is to dwell in that secret place, not just so we get all these incredible benefits, but because that secret place is the best place to be with Him irrespective of what is going down in our lives.

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PSALM 91 (AMP)

1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, [Ps. 91:1, 14.]

10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. [Luke 4:10, 11; Heb. 1:14.]

13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. [Luke 10:19.]

14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.