Nancy Taylor Tate
Psalm 91:1 promises that “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The psalmist then declares, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (v. 2).
Can we say that today? In the progression of our lives, are we creating a “secret place” with the Lord where we can come for fellowship, or in our time of need? Is there a place where we can come apart, that we might pray, or have a word of encouragement for others?
For me, the “secret place” is a posture of quiet worship as I spend quality time in fellowship with the Lord. As I become quiet and rest in His presence, it’s the position from which prayer comes, and the teachings and nuggets of truth which I speak or write.
It’s the posture from which I find the direction I need day by day. It’s the place of peace, comfort, and love where He gives me strength. Whatever the need, myself or seeking for others, the Lord has always been faithful to meet me there.
“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts” Zechariah 1:3.
How true this is! Never has the Lord said, “Nancy, I am too busy today! Come back tomorrow!” He is always there, if I will take the time to be with Him. As I turn towards Him I’ve learned He will share His heart, if I will take the time to listen.
Other people will share their hearts too, if we will listen! How important it is that we take the time to hear. As we listen to what others are experiencing, may we also hear what the Lord is saying.
“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23.
Years ago, my dad felt to invite me to be the guest speaker at a week of prayer. Up until six months prior I had seldom said anything in a group setting, not even a prayer request. But that is what my dad felt the Lord was saying, so he asked me. The Lord had been so working in my life that my desire to please the Lord was greater than my fear, so I said yes.
It must have taken some faith, even for my dad, because just before I got up to speak, he came over and whispered in my ear, “We will see how you do today, then decide about the rest of the week.” With that being said, the person up front introduced me, and I walked up to the pulpit.
I couldn’t see my notes, so with an inward prayer, I started to talk. When no more words came, I sat down feeling totally embarrassed, yet relieved to be done. I was confident I would never be asked to speak again, which brought me much comfort.
But to my surprise, Caroline Cooper, my dad’s secretary at the time, came to me as the service ended, saying, “What you said would make a good article.” I was so surprised! Then my dad came over and said, “You can speak the rest of the week.” Then he walked away.
I was stunned! My passion had become to please the Lord. If this was His desire, I was willing. I went to my room and continued to prepare my heart for the rest of the week.
I also was praying fervently into Romans 4:3, 18–21, with emphasis on the underlined portions as I yielded myself to the Lord.
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
God’s word is creative. What God said, He is able to do! My faith grew as I looked for the Lord to do in me that which He was saying.
“A word in due season,” what a difference it can make in someone’s life. In our lives! What a difference it made in my life. My dad, stepping out in faith on what he felt the Lord was saying, and Caroline Cooper’s hearing ear changed the course of my life.
What are you facing today? Is there an area you are trusting the Lord in, as He works within your life? For me, it was the discomfort of speaking publicly, then being asked to stand behind a pulpit, then also trying to write. For you, it may be something else.
Is there someone the Lord would use you to encourage today? The Lord may have us say or do something that speaks into what others are facing.
Whatever the challenge, may we say along with the psalmist,
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word” Psalm 119:14.
“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” Psalm 91:2.
Our lives are hid in Christ! HE is our hiding place. That “secret place” is a place of hidden, uninterrupted fellowship with Him we can come apart to, if we will but make room in our lives. It’s a place we can learn to abide in continually, as we grow in our relationship with Him.
“A word in due season, how good it is!” Each day as we spend time with the Lord, may we believe that we will have a “word in due season” to share with others. And may we have “an ear to hear” when such a word is spoken to us.