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Turn to Psalm 91. 2022, with all its stresses and tensions and uncertainties, is over, and we need an encouraging and reassuring word for 2023 . There is a secret place in God - where we can rest. Come with me into that secret place. He who dwells - will rest. That is the condition. Would you like to experience God's Rest - God's Peace - God's Richest Blessing in some new way? Come and walk–through Psalm 91 .

My task - my calling - is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach the scriptures. I am not called to entertain, amuse or impress you - but feed you and nourish you and satisfy you with the Word of God – God's Holy Word, enriching you spiritually and physically.

'Rest' here is the word used for a place where we can spend the night. When we are made fun of - ridiculed - mocked - persecuted - put under pressure because of our faith in Jesus Christ - one of the best things to do is rest in Jesus - and sleep on it - to rest and tell Him what is happening in our lives.

Tell Jesus what is happening - what people are saying - how they might be criticising or persecuting you - tell Him. He is always ready and willing to listen.

Being able to do all this depends upon dwelling in the shelter - or the secret place of the Most High God - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

We just can't run into a church when times are difficult - and move out when the problem appears to have cleared up. It is dwelling - abiding in Christ - remaining and receiving that rest - that strength - that comfort - that refreshing.

This is a call to live in close fellowship with God - aim to have an intimate relationship with God. There are times when it appears that everything is unleashed against you to keep you out of 'the secret place' - the place of prayer. It can be such a battle.

Remember there is an enemy who does not want you to meet with God - and he will do all he can to prevent God from meeting with you. In the secret place we are instructed - taught - corrected - cleansed - loved - reassured - built up - comforted - enlightened - so much can happen in the secret place. That is why the enemy would do everything to keep you out.

The secret place can be anywhere - but it must be somewhere. It can be any time - but there must be a set time - a time set aside.

Jesus knew the importance of the secret place - that hour in the early morning when He went to pray. Never become so involved in the work of the Lord that you neglect the Lord of the work. Paul said - I want to know Christ that I may become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him. Philippians 3verse 10 .

Nothing can be born without intimacy!! Have an intimate relationship with Jesus in the secret place - that is what John Chapter 15 is all about - where Jesus says - abide in Me. No matter who you are whether rich or poor - learned or unlearned - young or old - you can rest in God – you can dwell in Christ. And God is so willing to welcome us. What a privilege - to be invited into the Holy of Holies - beyond the veil - right into the very presence of our creator God.

Know where to go - know to whom you are speaking in the secret place - trust the living God totally. Expect Him to speak with you - and lead you - and comfort you - and show you how He wants you to serve and witness and obey His Word. Do not neglect your prayer life - never neglect your prayer life.

Never mind getting a book about prayer or a tape on prayer - just pray - do it - go and pray today and to-morrow and every day. When the heat is on here is ample shade. "Come to ME all who are heavy laden, and I will give you REST."

I will also give you another YOKE - Jesus may have made the smoothest yokes in Nazareth - but it remains a yoke. Come - put your head in the yoke - and plough the field yoked to Jesus. That is the picture. Matthew 11verses 28 to 30 .

We are slaves - we are called to be servants - disciples - under His discipline - we are under the Lordship of our Lord Who is so loving, compassionate, tender, sensitive, strong - and able to heal and impart power as well as rest and peace. What a Lord is Jesus Christ! Where else would you wish to be - rather than under His Protective Care?

Verse 2 – What are we to say? "I will say of the Lord" - and it is very personal - and so bold and courageous. "He is my refuge and my fortress - my God in whom I trust." There’s a verse for 2022! We have to say something - and it has to be as specific and positive as that. He is my fortress - my fort - my castle.

There are many castles around this part of Scotland - and they are tall and strong and almost impregnable - but at some time they have been taken. That will never happen to YOU when God is your castle – He will fortify or comfort you.

Verse 3 – Our God will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. We can be as foolish at times as little birds - and we can be ensnared and trapped. Now, these can be very real - traps and nets and snares - and sicknesses and diseases and pestilence. God wants to keep us from these. He wants to prevent us from having to experience these pains. He will cover you with feathers - what security - what assurance - what total safety. This is where we find safety - "under His wings". If this was not God's Word and been invented by an uninspired man, this could be regarded as blasphemy.

There was that day when Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives - and He had wanted to gather that people under His protective wings - but they would not come. How sad - and how they have suffered over these past 2,000 years. Luke 13verses 34,35.

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. The faithfulness of God will be like a shield to you - like battlements - and you will not fear the foe - you will not fear the terror of the night - nor the arrow that flies by day. Is this a reference to that night when the angel of death went through the land of Egypt and the people of God were safe and secure in the Blood of the Lamb - they had eaten the roast lamb - so they were in the lamb, and the lamb was in them.

God wants to take from His People all sense of FEAR. Some 366 times "Do not fear" is mentioned in the Bible is one form or another - once for every day of the year including a leap year. Do not fear. Do not be afraid. Am I speaking to someone who is apprehensive about the coming year - do not fear - do not be afraid.

Yes, there will be arrows flying against you. There are things we cannot avoid at times - but God is saying to us through His Word - "Do not be afraid - do not be afraid of these arrows. These very real dangers will be around - but do NOT be afraid of them. I will protect you and guard you. You can be in the middle of something bad - something serious - something highly dangerous - but because you have decided to dwell in God that thing will NOT touch you.

The Psalmist goes on in verses 7 to 9 to speak of amazing things which we can avoid - if - no harm - no disaster. There is a condition.

There may still be times of real trouble - Paul knew that, as he served Jesus Christ - imprisonment - the cold - no coat - rejection - people leaving him - people whom he had taught and invested much in, not having the staying power. Read what he experienced as he served in the front line of the Kingdom of God.

2Corinthians 11verses 23to 28 .

Even on the day of Pentecost - when the disciples were using their tongues to praise the Living God - others were using their tongues to make fun of these 120 servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. When you are given a rough time by people around you because of your faith in Jesus - remember - that is NOT the first time that has happened. This continues - the enemy does not have any new ideas.

Another mighty man of God - Jeremiah - had been preaching a powerful living word from God - 18 verse 18 - and that is how the people reacted then. One main weapon of the enemy seems to be the tongue. Remember one of his names is the 'slanderer' - on the day of Pentecost he tried to slander the disciples of Jesus. That is when the leaders have to stand together in support of one another.

You should never hear a leader of the Church of Jesus Christ who is taught in the Word of God, speak against another leader on the Church of Jesus Christ. It is possible that you might hear such a thing - and when if do, seek to have it corrected. And if you do hear such negative talk - such criticism - know who is behind it - the slanderer - the evil one.

Verse 9 – We are reminded of the source of all blessings - grace and mercy and forgiveness and love flow from God to us. The dwelling here is a tent - such a frail and flimsy covering - but when God is guarding you that is sufficient. No evil will be able to do its filthy work upon us - but that does not mean we will be kept from all affliction and pain and suffering. Now and again, God allows suffering to come across our path - that happens more frequently than we might wish.

Verse 11 – We see how our God wants to guard us – surrounded by and with angels. Command or charge is a very strong word. When He calls you to do a job for Him - He will keep you alive until that task is completed.

This is why it is so important to go faithfully on in the way God would have you walk - for as long as we walk according to His Holy Will - we will be guarded day and night. And should anything go wrong, and we cry out in prayer for help - they shall carry you - like a nurse caring for someone who is in danger. At times we can be so vulnerable - and our gracious God is aware of that.

You will be able to walk and serve where you thought you never could go - not in your own strength – again, the early disciples new that. These were dangers for people living in the wilderness at that time. Every child of God faces dangers - and has enemies - we see this in the life of Jesus - and in the apostolic ministries of Peter and Paul. Lion represents open visible danger - and the cobra speaks of that danger waiting in some hiding place to spring on you and take you by surprise. The Word of God prepares us for all eventualities. This is why it is so important to know what is in the Scriptures - know you Bible - know what God says in His Word - it pays, in all sorts of situations and circumstances.

There is a reference to this secret place in the opening words of Colossians Chapter 3. It all depends upon where we set our heart. The guidance is quite clear - set your minds on things above. There is a total security - almost a double security - when we are hidden with Christ in God.

Verse 14 – And when real danger arises, God can rescue you. Those who live in the secret place have a deep affection towards God.

In verses 14 - 16 , there are SIX "I WILLS" – what God will do for you as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We need to know that God will be with us - if as a consequence of serving Him we suffer persecution.

And God wants to honour people - to elevate them - and lift them up.

Many people are afraid of so many things - the list is almost endless - fears and worries spoil many lives. God wants to give us that security - in various areas of our lives - mental security - emotional security - financial security - physical security. Consider the amount of money being spent on security systems - all because of fear and all because of sin. Only Jesus Christ can deal with these.

Verse 16 – God wants to satisfy those who come to Him. There are many dissatisfied people going around - people who are upset and disturbed and dissatisfied with their lot in life.

Consider what God is offering us – and how God deals with situation – He calls us to come to a place of trust - a place of security - a place where we find peace and rest.

“Almighty God – Loving heavenly Father – whatever lies before us over these next weeks and months – help us to rest in peace and safety and security, when we come into the secret place. As we confess our sin, forgive us. As we read Your Word, and trust in Christ, and rely upon the authority and authenticity of the Scriptures, feed us and nourish us and strengthen us for service in the Kingdom of God – giving You our undivided attention – as we worship and pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen”

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 29, 2010)