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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Psalm 91verse 1. 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 with me through Psalm 91as we prepare for 2025..
Let me say again - my task - my calling - is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach the scriptures. I am not called to entertain you - amuse you - 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 some kind of 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 laughing and sneering and sniggering at 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 building 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 everyday.
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.
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 so very personal - and so bold and courageous. "He is my refuge and my fortress - my God in whom I trust."
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 - your fort.
Can you say these words reverently and prayerfully as we face 2025?
“Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High God – shall rest – abide – remain stable – and fixed. Therefore, I will say, He is my refuge and my fortress and my God – on Him I will lean and rely. In Him I confidently trust.
He will save me – and rescue me from deadly pestilence. He will cover me with feathers, and He will place me under His wings.
I will take refuge in His truth and faithfulness. I will not be afraid of the terror of the night or the arrow – nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness – nor the destruction that destroys suddenly. It shall not come near me. Only as a spectator shall I witness the destruction of the wicked -
Thousands may fall – it shall not come near me – I have made the Lord my refuge - no evil or disaster or calamity shall come near me or my house.
He shall command His angels, and give them charge over me. They will lift you up if you are about to fall.
I will tread upon the lion and the cobra.
I have this promise from the Lord, because I have set my love upon Him. He will rescue and deliver me and protect me – and set me on high – because I know – I understand – I acknowledge His name. I have a personal understanding and knowledge of His mercy – His love – His kindness – His faithfulness – and He will never forsake me.
He will satisfy me – He will reveal every aspect of His salvation.”
If you can say and pray these words, you will never doubt again. You will never question His reality – His faithfulness - His love.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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