In His Hands International Bible College

When you were a child, did you have a secret hiding place- somewhere you went to be alone, where you felt safe and secure?  Perhaps it was a tree house or a window seat in your home.  Maybe it was a dusty attic or a cozy basement.  If you lived in a remote village, perhaps you had a special place under a certain tree, by a stream of water, or in a cleft in the mountain.  You went to your secret place when you were upset, fearful, sad, or when you needed to retreat to a quiet, secure place. 

Psalm 91 of the Holy Bible describes a spiritual hiding place located under the shadow of Almighty God where you can be safe and secure no matter what circumstances you are experiencing in your life, your home, your ministry, on the job, or in your nation.  It is a spiritual place that all believers can access, a secure habitation where you can abide continually. 

The United States has tornado, bomb, and earthquake shelters in various parts of the nation to provide places of safety for people in times of crisis.  But the spiritual dwelling of which you will learn in this study is a place where you can abide continually.  You don't have to flee there in times of crisis, because you are already there! Psalm 91 is a message to those who have or who will face challenges, problems, and difficult circumstances.  In other words, it is a Psalm for everyone, but there are specific qualifications in order to claim its promises.  

The promises of Psalm 91 are for those who abide in the secret place. When you experience crisis outside of this spiritual dwelling, you cannot claim the provisions, protection, and promises of this 5 passage.  That is why it is important to learn how to gain access to the secret place and remain there permanently. 

First and foremost, in order to dwell in this secret place you must abide in the shadow of Almighty God, which by implication requires that you must be a follower of the one and only God whose Son is Jesus Christ. 

If you are not already a born-again believer, here are the steps to take: Recognize you are a sinner:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Understand that the penalty of sin is death: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Realize that God loves you and gave His Son to die for your sins: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Understand that there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation:   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Acknowledge that there is only one way to salvation:   Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 ) Ask God to forgive your sins:  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9) 6 Confess and believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead:   But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10) 

The promises of Psalm 91 are conditional, meaning there are certain requirements that must be met in order to claim them.   It is much like the guarantee on a product you purchase.   There are certain requirements that must be met in order for the guarantee to be valid.   

As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, you have already met the first and most important requirement.  If you are a true believer--even if you just became one as you followed the directives in this introductory section--you are ready to receive the revelations of Psalm 91. In the natural world,  you may live in a shack, a crowded housing project, a middle class neighborhood, or a mansion- no matter.  You are invited to come on in to the secret place!