Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High.”

“The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Every child of God looks toward the inner sanctuary and the mercyseat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Those who through rich grace obtain unusual and continuous communion with God, so as to benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Into the secret place those only come who know the love of God in Christ Jesus, and those only dwell there to whom to live is Christ.

Outer court worshippers little know what belongs to the inner sanctuary, or surely they would press until the place of nearness and divine familiarity became theirs. Those who are the Lord’s constant guests shall find that he will never suffer any to be injured within his gates; he has eaten the covenant salt with them, and is pledged for their protection. Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The Omnipotent Lord will shield all those who dwell with him, they shall remain under his care as guests under the protection of their host….Those who commune with God are safe with Him, no evil can reach them, for the outstretched wings of His power and love cover them from all harm. This protection is constant- they abide under it, and it is all sufficient, for it is the shadow of the Almighty, whose omnipotence will surely screen them from all attack. No shelter can be imagined at all comparable to the protection of Jehovah’s own shadow.

The more closely we cling to our Almighty Father the more confident we may be.”

-Charles H Spurgeon, (Treasury of David, Vol 5 pp 71-72)

There is most definitely a difference in relationship amongst believers with the Almighty God. We have the choice of what our relationship with Him will look like. Will we choose to fellowship with Him in His inner sanctuary of ultimate safety, peace, and protection? This is the promise He gives to us, and what a wonderful promise it is! Yet the entanglements of the world often overtake many believers, and while they do not lose their postion as family members with Christ as their Heavenly Father, they do lose out on the special fellowship that He had planned, truly that He had designed for each and every one of them. What a disheartening thought! All of these wonderful promises He openly gives us, and yet many still choose another way. As the story of the prodigal son tells us, the “son” never ceased to be a son, his relationship and place in the family was always secure despite the fact that he did not act like the father’s son, or respect the father’s gift. Yet he always remained the son. Just the same we see here that we are safe under the protection of the Almighty’s hand, IF we choose to dwell in His secret place! This place is not something all believers choose for themselves, yet they are no less believers, and still remain a part of the kingdom, but the fellowship they have with the Father is much different then with those who have chosen to dwell in this sacred secret place and His inner sanctuary. This intimate relationship with Christ Himself truly is a special treasure that only a small portion of believers ever experience, which is why there are seperate areas of worship. The inner sanctuary for those who have chosen to dwell closely to Him, and the outer courts for those who have chosen to look on in apathy all their lives. God loves us all the same, and all who put their trust in Jesus work on the cross to cleanse their sin are truly safe forever in His hand, never to be plucked out. (Romans 8:38-39) But we see here, very clearly, that there are varying levels of relationship with Him, and as God is no respecter of persons, that means this relationship is up to us and how we decide to pursue it. He offers it all equally and freely and desires we all experience His perfect peace, and protection. How it must grieve the Spirit when we choose other gods before HIM! Do you dwell in the inner sanctuary of the Most High? Are you abdiding in that secret place with your Almighty Father? He offers it freely, He promises you safety, protection, peace, and calm amidst the many storms of life. Whether or not you abide in those promises is up to YOU.

“He wishes us to know Him, and by His Word and by His Spirit He puts Himself before us. Ah! it is not His fault if we do not know Him. It is our own carelessness.” Mary B. M. Duncan, in “Under the Shadow” 1867