What do you know about the dwelling place of God?

Wouldn’t it be sweet if we could find a place to live in joy and calm, a residence where we could truly rest, gathering around us the ones we love, and live free from worry and fear?

There is! It’s the secret place of the Most High!

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalm 91:1-2). Click To Tweet

Key words: in him will I trust.

That’s the issue, isn’t it? Can we really trust everything into God’s almighty hands? We answer yes. But how well do we practice it?

I’m so grateful when God teaches me a life-changing truth. But I prefer learning in pleasant circumstances—not dark, challenging places where I can barely see his face.

Skimming through old journal notes, I remembered such a place where I wrestled with Romans 8:28. You can quote that verse as well as I can. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

How many times have you spoken those words of comfort to a struggling or grieving friend? How many times have you fallen to your knees, crying out to God for assurance those words are true and dependable?

I’d listed in my journal events of four difficult months, concluding with a phone call that someone I loved dearly faced a complicated surgery.

Lord, how much hurt can one heart bear?

Feeling alone and desperate, I heard a quiet voice in my heart. Don’t you know? All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Out of somewhere came a shoulder-shaking, burden-lifting truth. “And we know.”

We know! Most of us get caught up in the what-we-know—that all things work together for good to those who love God and are chosen for a purpose. We brush past “and we know,” which really is all we need.

Knowing God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, we know enough to rest in confidence, trusting every care into his almighty hands.

Our enemy Satan colors with black crayons. He makes every circumstance look black, bleak, and hopeless. He’s skillful at suggesting potential dangers. He delights in throwing around “what-ifs.”

Our enemy Satan colors with black crayons. He makes every circumstance look black, bleak, and hopeless. He’s skillful at suggesting potential dangers. He delights in throwing around what-ifs. Click To Tweet

If we listen to him, fear and doubt will demolish our confidence in God and rob our peace and joy.

But we know!

• We know God.
• We know God is good (Psalm 106:1).
• We know God is on our side and always looking for ways to show himself strong for us (2 Chronicles 16:9)..
• We know God made the heavens and the earth by his great power and out-stretched arm, and nothing is too hard for him (Jeremiah 32:17.)

I also know this: my life is not viable outside the dwelling place of God.

My life is not viable outside the dwelling place of God. Click To Tweet

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

 Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the earth and the world,

 from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90:1 NIV

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Psalm 84:1-4 NIV

Would you comment about a time when you wrestled with truth and found sweet peace in the secret place of the Most High? And please share this with your friends!

© Dianne Barker 2019