Have you ever had a dream where you felt like you were under attack?
Maybe you were being chased, or something was trying to harm you. You wanted to call on the name of Jesus, but no matter how hard you tried, the words just wouldn’t come out. And then, finally, when you managed to whisper His name, you woke up free from that oppression.
I imagine most of us have had some version of this experience.
One day, as I was pondering why this struggle happens, the Holy Spirit ministered Psalm 91:1 to my heart:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
(Psalm 91:1, NKJV)
It’s a verse many of us know by heart, but I began to see it through a new lens.
The Holy Spirit showed me that often, the reason we struggle in those moments is because our spirit is weak.
Proverbs 24:10 says:
“If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.” (NKJV)
In other words, you don’t suddenly grow strong on the day of trouble. You prepare beforehand, so when adversity comes, you are ready.
Why Many of Us Struggle Spiritually
The truth is, many of us live spiritually malnourished lives. We desire power, boldness, and victory, but we neglect the very disciplines that build spiritual strength: prayer, fasting, worship, and meditation on God’s Word.
The result? We face opposition without the spiritual stamina to overcome.
But Psalm 91 offers us a powerful invitation: to dwell.
What It Means to Dwell in the Secret Place
I began to study the words in this verse, and the meaning became even clearer:
- Dwell means to remain, to sit down, to tarry, and to settle in.
- Secret place speaks of shelter, protection, and covering.
- Abide means to lodge, to stay the night, to make it your resting place.
All these words point to something lasting, not a passing visit, but a chosen lifestyle. Dwelling is not a fleeting choice; it’s a commitment.
So, how do we dwell in the secret place?
When I read through Psalm 91:1, one word shines true: intimacy. I see this scripture as a call to building a deep and loving relationship with God.
It is a commitment to spend time with our maker. To get to know Him and know His heart.
John 17:3 says:
“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
John 17:3 NLT
And the word, “know” is not in the book sense but in the intimate sense. It is about building a deep connection with our maker.
Here are great ways to build our intimacy with God:
- Consistency in Prayer
Dwelling begins with talking to God daily, not just in emergencies. Jesus Himself often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16).
- Abiding in the Word
God’s Word is not just for inspiration but for nourishment. Joshua 1:8 reminds us to meditate on it day and night, for it is our source of strength.
- Worship and Praise
Worship shifts our focus from ourselves to God. It’s how we remain aware of His presence throughout the day (Psalm 22:3).
- Fasting and Discipline
Fasting helps us quiet the noise of the flesh so that our spirit can rise in strength. It’s a way of aligning our desires with His.
- Obedience
Dwelling is not just about where you pray, but how you live. Obedience keeps us under His covering.
The Blessing of Dwelling
Dwelling in the secret place doesn’t mean storms won’t come, but it does mean we will not be shaken when they do. Like Daniel, who prayed three times a day even when threatened (Daniel 6), or David, who found strength in God during his darkest battles (1 Samuel 30:6), we too can walk in peace, courage, and divine covering when we choose to abide.
Psalm 91 goes on to list promise after promise for those who dwell: protection, deliverance, answered prayer, and long life. But the greatest promise is His presence itself: “I will be with him in trouble” (Psalm 91:15).
So today, I want to encourage you:
Don’t just visit the secret place when life gets hard. Dwell there. Live there. Stay there. Make it your home, and you will find strength, peace, and protection under the shadow of the Almighty.
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