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I remember when my girls were little; we would use their play phones as I taught them how to make a call if there was an emergency. We went over how they were to dial 9-1-1, then would need to give their name and address. Thank the Lord we never had to use that, but what a comfort to know that help was there, should we need it.
In a physical emergency situation, we’ve been programmed to call “9-1-1.” In a spiritual emergency we need to call up Psalm 9-1-1 – that is, Psalm 91:1. It reads, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Why is this a good passage in an emergency?
I’ll never forget several years ago when I was studying Philippians 4:10-13. In verse 11 I read about Paul saying the he had learned to be content in whatever state he found himself. In verse 12 he said that he was instructed both to be full and to be hungry, to abound and suffer need. As I studied I learned that though the words learned and instructed seem to mean the same thing, they actually have two different meanings. In verse 12 Paul learned by experience how to be full and hungry. Many things we learn are by experience, aren’t they? We’ve all heard that experience is the best teacher. However, in verse 11 Paul learned to be content and the meaning here is “to be initiated into the secret.” I remember studying this and feeling so confused by its meaning. I prayed about it and sought the Lord’s wisdom. One Thursday morning as I was in prayer about this passage, the Lord sweetly brought to my mind the passage my husband had preached about the night before – Psalm 91:1. I recited the verse,
“He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.…”
and then it came to me! Paul was initiated into the secret of contentment in all his situations through the secret place of prayer! I remember weeping with joy as this truth came not just to my head, but also to my heart. You see, in this secret place we lean in to the Lord. We are still and quiet so we might hear His voice whispering in our heart. It’s then that we learn His contentment.
In an emergency it’s easy to feel restless and discontent. We want out! Now! But Paul stated from a prison cell that he had learned to be content even in miserable places through the secret place of prayer. Oh, if only we would call up Psalm 91:1 in our emergency and seek the Lord’s face. It’s only under His protective wing of love that we will find comfort and contentment, even in a difficult situation.
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side
Earthly cares forever vex me, while thy trials lay me low;
But when Satan comes to tempt me, to that secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence of that happy meeting place,
You will surely bear the image of the Master in your face,
Of the Master in your face.
~Song by Sandra McCracken
What “prison cell” are you experiencing today? Sickness? Loneliness? Loss? Depression? If you know Christ, you can say as Paul did, “I have all and abound!” Don’t give in to the discontentment – run to the Secret Place and learn what only Christ can teach you in that place of prayer.
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