You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. (Psalm 31:20)
No believer has to be convinced that the safest place we could ever be is in the Presence of the Almighty. As it is written, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…. He is my refuge and my fortress.” (Psalm 91:1-2). But let us consider that there are times when, for whatever reason, we can’t abide in His Holy Place. For instance, consider all the time David spent running from Saul and hiding in caves; or consider the years that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego, spent in service to Babylon — the epitome of everything God hates.
I’m sure David would have preferred not to hide in caves, just as I’m sure Daniel and his three companions would have preferred not to be in Babylon. Yet for whatever reason, that is where God placed them which means it was for a purpose. In other words, it is clear that God’s Presence went with His people into those scenarios and they, in time, discovered that the safest place to be is exactly where God wants you to be — even if it’s hiding in cave, or being thrown into a fiery pit or a den of lions. God is able and willing to shelter His people “from the plots of man” and the snares that are conceived by “the strife of tongues.”
Think about it: on many occasions, David had to flee because others used their mouth to betray his whereabouts. The three Hebrew men were brought before Nebuchadnezzar because “certain Chaldeans” went to the king and “accused the Jews” (Daniel 3:8). Daniel was thrown to the lions because others in the kingdom were jealous of his stature and used his commitment to God against him. The point is, when we are walking upright before God, we are going to draw the attention and ire of the wicked; they will plot and they will stir up strife with their tongue. No matter: God protects His own even when — maybe especially when — they are the targets of wicked schemes and conspiracies.
This is something we will all need to keep in mind in the days ahead because, in my view, this targeting has already started. We shouldn’t fear, however, because our God is well able to hide us in the secret place of His presence, no matter the circumstances. In the end, all will know that the God of Israel is God!
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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