When The Almighty Hides Us
He who dwells 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 I will trust. - Psalm 91:1
I read a story from Corrie Ten Boom in her book, A Prisoner And Yet. Corrie tells about her experience of arriving at a concentration camp and passing through the guards searching for any contraband. She had a bible hidden in her dress. She wanted to keep this bible so she prayed:
“Lord, cause now Thine angels to surround me; and let them not be transparent today, for the guards must not see me.”
The woman in front of her was searched and a scarf she had hidden was taken away by the guards. But Corrie was allowed to pass as if the guards saw nothing.
“They let me pass, for they did not see me. Betsie, right behind me, was searched.”
This is not the first nor the last story of a saint of God remaining unseen or unharmed. This playing out of Psalm 91:1 in real life hopefully looks less dramatic and frightening for you and me. But maybe it isn’t less dramatic or maybe we have no idea when God has hidden us from sight. I’m sure many of us don’t even recognize all the times we have been protected by the Almighty.
If we dwell in the secret place. If we can stay focused and take our thoughts captive, because fear and anxieties will remove you from this home, this abiding safely in the shadows. Not that you can’t feel the fear or the anxiety. I’m sure Corrie felt fear. It’s living out courage doing the fearful unsafe things for the glory of God (not our own) anyway.
I used to be one of the most fearful people. My loving husband showed me this Psalm when I was around 18, and told me to read it when I was afraid. I feel a comfort of coming home whenever I return to this Psalm. It reminds me of the spiritual reality that I belong to God fully.
He holds me safe and I know nothing can take my soul from Him. No person can touch the very essence of who I am. I want to be here. This is my home because I trust Him. That is all it takes.
douglas caskey:
I like the personal testimony in your “When the Almighty Hides Us”. It lets me know that you are speaking from the heart, and makes me want to read more. This feature draws me to Corrie ten Boom’s writings also.
You describe that your husband showed you Psalm 91 when you were eighteen and told you to read it when you are afraid. And you describe the comforting feeling of returning to this Psalm later since it reminds you that you belong to God fully. What a powerful and enduring affirmation of the comfort that God’s Word can bring to us when we desperately need it ! This is the beauty of God’s Word: it always gives comfort and represents a safe refuge. I like your real life application of how to live courageously, dwelling in the secret place, when fear and anxiety may be facing us within.