Devotional

Our Secret Place

November 12, 2023

Dear one, you are not alone. We all go through hard times at some point or another in our lives. But I don’t want your heart to despair. I’m in the midst of one myself. If you’re going through a refining fire season, remember the following to keep your mind and heart focused on our loving, protective, strengthening, and victorious Father God, Lord and Savior Jesus, and Holy Spirit. You’ll find what you need in our secret place with God.

In the secret placed you’ll be …

01 Embraced – God loves you with an everlasting love. He has not only purposely created you, and that’s enough to stop you in your tracks, but He has also paid the ultimate price to keep you near His bosom for an eternity. He can’t lie so He gave His word for you. His word is Jesus. You are loved, saved, chosen, and adopted. You are a child of God and co-heir with Christ.   

02 Enveloped – You are safe, and protected under His wings. Seeking God brings a proximity to Him. Intimacy keeps you safe because you are always in His Presence. No weapon formed against you will prosper when you’re hidden in Christ. You are never left alone. You have been lifted to a high place that no evil can ascend. Never, ever.   

03 Encouraged – You have been given the gift of faith to believe the whole counsel of God. God’s word is truth. It never fails. His word always performs His purposes. Your faith brings His truth into substance before you. His truth exposes lies and renews your thoughts, transforming them into the mind of Christ. Now, all things are possible if you believe.   

04 Equipped – It’s not by might but by God’s Spirit that you overcome. You are made strong with the gift of Holy Spirit living inside, giving you everything you need for life and godliness. Love, power, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, revelation, and a sound mind are yours. You become a Godly warrior, always victorious.  

I encourage you to read, dwell in, and pray through Psalm 91. Also, Psalm 23 and Psalm 27.  Try reading them in different translations until you find the one that resonates with your heart. 

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done! When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling. You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!" ‭‭- Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows. So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! - Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Yahweh is my revelation-light and the source of my salvation. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run, for you, Yahweh, surround and protect me. When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back. My heart will not fear even if an army rises to attack. I will not be shaken, even if war is imminent. Here’s the one thing I crave from Yahweh, the one thing I seek above all else: I want to live with him every moment in his house, beholding the marvelous beauty of Yahweh, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to contemplate in his temple. In the day of trouble, he will treasure me in his shelter, under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock, out of reach from all my enemies who surround me. Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh! Hear my cry. Show me mercy, and send the help I need! I heard your voice in my heart say, “Come, seek my face;” my inner being responded, “Yahweh, I’m seeking your face with all my heart.” So don’t turn your face away from me. You’re the God of my salvation; how can you reject your servant in anger? You’ve been my only hope, so don’t forsake me now when I need you! My father and mother abandoned me. But you, Yahweh, took me in and made me yours. Now teach me, Yahweh, all about your ways and tell me what to do. Make it clear for me to understand, for I am surrounded by waiting enemies. Don’t let them defeat me, Lord. You can’t let me fall into their clutches! They keep accusing me of things I’ve never done, breathing out violence against me. Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal! Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! ‭‭- Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Querida, no estás sola. Todos pasamos por momentos difíciles en algún momento u otro de nuestras vidas. Pero no quiero que tu corazón se desespere. Yo misma estoy en medio de uno. Si estás pasando por una temporada de fuego refinador, recuerda lo siguiente para mantener tu mente y tu corazón enfocados en nuestro amoroso, protector, fortalecedor y victorioso Padre Dios, Señor y Salvador Jesús, y Espíritu Santo. Encontrarás lo que necesitas en nuestro escondite secreto con Dios.

En el lugar secreto estarás…

01 Abrazada – Dios te ama con amor eterno. Él no sólo te ha creado intencionalmente, y eso es suficiente para detenerte en seco, sino que también ha pagado el precio máximo para mantenerte cerca de Su seno por una eternidad. Él no puede mentir, por eso dio Su palabra por ti. Su palabra es Jesús. Eres amada, salva, elegida, y adoptada. Eres hija de Dios y coheredera con Cristo.

02 Envuelta – Estás a salvo y protegida bajo sus alas. Buscar a Dios trae proximidad a Él. La intimidad te mantiene a salvo porque siempre estás en Su Presencia. Ningún arma forjada contra ti prosperará cuando estés escondida en Cristo. Nunca te quedas sola. Has sido elevada a un lugar alto al que ningún mal puede ascender. Nunca jamás.

03 Animada – Se te ha dado el don de la fe para creer todo el consejo de Dios. La palabra de Dios es verdad. Nunca falla. Su palabra siempre cumple Sus propósitos. Tu fe hace que Su verdad se convierta en sustancia ante ti. Su verdad expone las mentiras y renueva tus pensamientos, transformándolos en la mente de Cristo. Ahora, todo es posible si crees.

04 Equipada – No es con el poder sino con el Espíritu de Dios que se vence. Eres fortalecida con el don del Espíritu Santo que vive en tu interior y te da todo lo que necesitas para la vida y la piedad. El amor, el poder, la sabiduría, el conocimiento, la comprensión, la revelación y la mente sana son tuyos. Te conviertes en un guerrero piadosa, siempre victorioso.

Te animo a leer, meditar y orar el Salmo 91. Además, el Salmo 23 y el Salmo 27. Intenta leerlos en diferentes traducciones hasta que encuentre la que resuene en tu corazón.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

El que habita al abrigo del Altísimo Morará bajo la sombra del Omnipotente. Diré yo a Jehová: Esperanza mía, y castillo mío; Mi Dios, en quien confiaré. Él te librará del lazo del cazador, De la peste destructora. Con sus plumas te cubrirá, Y debajo de sus alas estarás seguro; Escudo y adarga es su verdad. No temerás el terror nocturno, Ni saeta que vuele de día, Ni pestilencia que ande en oscuridad, Ni mortandad que en medio del día destruya. Caerán a tu lado mil, Y diez mil a tu diestra; Mas a ti no llegará. Ciertamente con tus ojos mirarás Y verás la recompensa de los impíos. Porque has puesto a Jehová, que es mi esperanza, Al Altísimo por tu habitación, No te sobrevendrá mal, Ni plaga tocará tu morada. Pues a sus ángeles mandará acerca de ti, Que te guarden en todos tus caminos. En las manos te llevarán, Para que tu pie no tropiece en piedra. Sobre el león y el áspid pisarás; Hollarás al cachorro del león y al dragón. Por cuanto en mí ha puesto su amor, yo también lo libraré; Le pondré en alto, por cuanto ha conocido mi nombre. Me invocará, y yo le responderé; Con él estaré yo en la angustia; Lo libraré y le glorificaré. Lo saciaré de larga vida, Y le mostraré mi salvación. - Salmo 91

El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta. En verdes praderas me hace descansar, a las aguas tranquilas me conduce, me da nuevas fuerzas y me lleva por caminos rectos, haciendo honor a su nombre. Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza. Me has preparado un banquete ante los ojos de mis enemigos; has vertido perfume en mi cabeza, y has llenado mi copa a rebosar. Tu bondad y tu amor me acompañan a lo largo de mis días, y en tu casa, oh Señor, por siempre viviré. - Salmo 23

El Señor es mi luz y mi salvación, ¿de quién podré tener miedo? El Señor defiende mi vida, ¿a quién habré de temer? Los malvados, mis enemigos, se juntan para atacarme y destruirme; pero ellos son los que tropiezan y caen. Aunque un ejército me rodee, mi corazón no tendrá miedo; aunque se preparen para atacarme, yo permaneceré tranquilo. Sólo una cosa he pedido al Señor, sólo una cosa deseo: estar en el templo del Señor todos los días de mi vida, para adorarlo en su templo y contemplar su hermosura. Cuando lleguen los días malos, el Señor me dará abrigo en su templo; bajo su sombra me protegerá. ¡Me pondrá a salvo sobre una roca! Entonces podré levantar la cabeza por encima de mis enemigos; entonces podré ofrecer sacrificios en el templo, y gritar de alegría, y cantar himnos al Señor. A ti clamo, Señor: escúchame. Ten compasión de mí, ¡respóndeme! El corazón me dice: «Busca la presencia del Señor.» Y yo, Señor, busco tu presencia. ¡No te escondas de mí! ¡No me rechaces con ira! ¡Mi única ayuda eres tú! No me dejes solo y sin amparo, pues tú eres mi Dios y salvador. Aunque mi padre y mi madre me abandonen, tú, Señor, te harás cargo de mí. Señor, muéstrame tu camino; guíame por el buen camino a causa de mis enemigos; no me entregues a su voluntad, pues se han levantado contra mí testigos falsos y violentos. Pero yo estoy convencido de que llegaré a ver la bondad del Señor a lo largo de esta vida. ¡Ten confianza en el Señor! ¡Ten valor, no te desanimes! ¡Sí, ten confianza en el Señor! - Salmo 27

Written by

Ibelisse is on a holy adventure to find ancient keys in the good news of Jesus Christ to set the captives free. When she’s not scribbling inspirations, reading, or creating visual art, she likes to crochet and eat anything with coconut in it. Ibelisse lives with her husband Merl in Chicago, where she worked for almost a decade with The Salvation Army to aid men and women in successfully transitioning from prison back into society.

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