He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). The secret place of the most High does exist, or the Lord never would have mentioned it; but unfortunately, many Christians never really find it. You don’t find this secret place by just being born again and receiving the Holy Ghost. It requires spending much time with the Lord in prayer, fasting and study of the Word. It is a place of complete dedication to the Lord.

The Lord promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh (Acts 2:17). But you have to be in that secret place of the Lord to be able to receive that great outpouring. Then the Holy Spirit will be able to reveal secrets to you about this final hour. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

If you are going to tell somebody a secret, you want to do it when they are not around other people. Unfortunately, many of God’s people are not spending enough time with Him and away from other people for Him to be able to talk with them and share things with them. Are you one of those people? You must find that secret place with the Lord and spend much time there.

There are many things the Lord wants and needs the Bride to know in this final hour, but all of those revelations come only through the power of the Holy Ghost. You will never find that secret place without having the Spirit living within you. That is why Jesus sent Him to Earth to begin with saying, It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you (John 16:7). Jesus knew we would need divinity living within to lead us in the way we should go and show us the things we need to know.

The Road Will Be Rough

In this final hour, there is a secret place in the Lord in which the Holy Spirit will reveal many things to you that will edify you, strengthen you, lift you up and make you a greater worker for the Lord. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, but Joseph didn’t give up on God. He endured people lying about him and breaking promises to him. He was even thrown into prison for something he didn’t do, but he never turned against God; and he did find that secret place with the Lord. God was blessing and guiding Joseph even when he wasn’t aware of it.

Many people would have turned against God and become bitter if they had found themselves in Joseph’s situation because at times, it seemed as if God didn’t care about him anymore; but Joseph didn’t do that. Then later, God lifted him up to be second in command in Egypt, and that enabled him to save his people from starvation during a great famine.

The reason God can’t use some people today more than He does is because they turn away from Him when the going gets rough. Jesus said, In the world ye shall have tribulation (John 16:33). Tribulations will come your way; but when you face your trying situations God’s way, He will be able to use you as He wants to.

Many people wish they could be something special for the Lord, but they aren’t willing to put self down completely. Roses have a beautiful fragrance, but they will never release it all until they are crushed. When the Lord begins to press on some of you or allows Satan to do it, you think He has forgotten you and no longer cares about what happens to you. Then you begin to back away and eventually fail completely. You will never make it to Rapture ground in this dark hour without finding that special place in the Lord.

Fight for Your Miracle

When you start telling the Lord you’re not willing to accept the rocky road you must travel, He will begin to draw back from you and reach out to someone else to get your work done. If you want God’s best for your life, you have to be willing to give Him your best as well. You have to be willing to stand against whatever the devil may bring your way and fight battles for the Lord.

Do you think the Lord is going to give you His divine power to use when you spend very little time with Him, go to church only when you feel like it and never do much to help win souls? No. God blesses and anoints you for His purpose. You may say, “I want to work for Jesus, but I’m not able to because I’m sick.” Then you must seek the Lord with your whole heart and ask Him to heal you. It is God’s will for His people to have good health. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (III John 1:2).

You may see many sick Christians and conclude that God is no longer healing them today, but that’s not true. The Lord told the Israelites, I will take sickness away from the midst of thee (Exodus 23:25). His only begotten Son even went to the whipping post so we could be healed. By whose stripes ye were healed (I Peter 2:24).

The devil doesn’t want God’s children to be well, so he will do all he can to keep you sick and afflicted and ruin your testimony for the Lord if you allow him to. That’s why you have to rise up and conquer in the name of the Lord and never let fear take you over. Get your eyes off of other people and stand on the fact that God promised to bless those who would obey Him.

Stay Humble Before God

Joseph’s faith was severely tried before he found the secret place of the most High, and yours will be too. You will have to walk rocky roads and climb steep mountains, but you can find that secret place if you diligently seek it and are willing to suffer the trials and persecutions that go along with it. It won’t be easy, but you can make it with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

You will have to die many deaths, spiritually speaking, and suffer much persecution for God to be able to reveal Himself to you. The powers of the devil will come against you to tempt you and try you in every way possible in hopes of making you turn against God. Satan wants to take God’s love and faith out of your heart, so you have to resist his attacks and hold onto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

This may shock you, but some people are not being persecuted enough. Why do I say that?—because when the battles are hot and coming at you one after another, you will pray more, fast more and study the Word more. Persecution will put you on your knees before the throne of God in all humility and drive you into the secret place of the Almighty God. Suddenly, all the things you had been so busy with won’t matter much anymore. Your biggest concern will be getting in touch with God and moving in closer to Him.

Sometimes, the Lord will direct you to do things for others in His name, but you can’t do that and then expect anything from them in return or you will be disappointed again and again. Ungrateful people can take the heart right out of you. That’s why you have to be completely content being in the Lord’s secret place, doing His work and pleasing Him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23,24). If people do acknowledge your efforts, then that will just be a bonus.

Are You a Testimony?

If you have found that secret place in the Lord, it will show up in your conversation. You will talk about good things and always have a positive report. You won’t gossip, belittle others or complain about all your aches and pains. You will tell others what God is doing for you and not whine about all the things the devil is bringing against you.

Everyone gets sick at one time or another, so why do you think anyone wants to hear about your afflictions? Everyone goes through hard times, so you can’t get in the habit of always talking about yours. That doesn’t help you or anyone else. You must make sure that your conversation edifies those you are talking to and builds them up. You should talk about the greatness of God, His mighty power and the work of the Holy Spirit. You must be an inspiration to others.

Unfortunately, there are those who have a laundry list of things that are wrong with them every time you talk to them. I don’t understand people like that because I never want to be sick, and I never find any joy or happiness when I am. When I was a boy, being sick meant I had to stay home, be away from my friends and not do the things I wanted to do; but some people love getting attention from being sick more than they dislike being sick. Those kinds of people definitely have not found the secret place of the Lord. They testify for Satan much more than they ever testify for the Lord.

People defeat themselves again and again with the things they talk about. If I talked about even just a few of the things some of you talk about, I’d be afflicted and depressed too. You need to decide that you will only talk about good things to your family, friends and coworkers. Don’t share with them every time you get a little ache or pain. Don’t wake up in the morning and tell your husband or wife how awful you feel. Do you think that edifies them or makes them feel good? Definitely not. I’m convinced that some people would have absolutely nothing to say if they were permitted to talk about only good things.

It Is Time

It’s time for you to shut up and decide you will get ready to be healed and delivered. The next time someone starts talking to you about all their trials or how awful they feel, don’t join them and tell them about your woes as well. There the two of you will be depressing each other even more, and that’s terrible.

The Bible says, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...a time to heal...and a time to build up (Ecclesiastes 3:1,3). It’s time to change your ways and find the secret place of the Lord. It’s time to stop talking about everything that is going wrong in your life and talk like Jesus talked. Think about all the joy you take out of your home by the things you talk about.

It is time for you to have peace like you have never had before. It’s time for you to use faith you have never used before and receive benefits from Jesus that you have never even thought were possible. In the secret place of the Lord, you will find fellowship with Him that will astound you as He makes Himself real to you in new and amazing ways.

It is time for you to stop struggling and live without fear. In the secret place of the Lord, fear and worry will no longer dominate your life or even have any power over you whatsoever. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (I John 4:18). The Lord’s secret place is full of divine love.

Have No Fear

If you have not yet found the secret place of the Lord, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a child of God; but you are definitely missing out on the abundant life Jesus spoke of when He said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

In the secret place of the most High, the Lord shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4). Think of how safe and secure little chickens feel hiding under their mother’s wings. They may stick their little heads out and look around, but they know nothing can bother them in that safe place. The wings of the Almighty will provide all the safety you need as well as long as you find your way into that hiding place.

Some of you are afraid of the past when it is already behind you. Some of you are afraid of the present and even the future when Jesus says, Be not afraid (Mark 6:50). It’s awful to be so afraid that you can’t even face life when learning to face it is one of the most essential things you need to learn. You must know what it means to live like a member of the Bride of Christ and to claim all the benefits of Calvary.

You must learn how to yield completely to the Lord and walk hand in hand with Him. You may think you are living that way; but if you are, then why are you afraid, and why do you think your problems will never be solved? The reason is that you have not found the secret place of the most High.

Job Was Afraid

In Job’s day, God said there was no one like His servant Job; but Job did have fear. After Satan had taken away everything he owned and destroyed all his children, Job said, For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me (Job 3:25). You must not be afraid of anything because the things you fear are the things Satan will be able to use to defeat you.

Job was always afraid that something would happen to his children. He loved them dearly and was so concerned about them that he would call them together every day and sanctify them before the Lord whether they had done anything wrong or not. Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually (Job 1:5).

Job was afraid that a time would come when his wife would not stand by him, and she did turn against him; and so did his friends. God had given Job so much, but he was always afraid of losing what God had given him.

Take note of this: God allowed Satan to afflict Job in so many ways, but He did not allow Satan to take Job’s life. God said to Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand (Job 1:12).

Some of you are always afraid something tragic is going to happen or that you will get a life-threatening disease. If you are a child of God, Satan can’t take your life until the Lord gets ready for you to go home as long as you are pleasing God and serving Him; so stop allowing the devil to torment you with such thoughts. There is no truth about him.

Some of you feel a pain and think, “This is it. I’m going to die for sure.” Well, if the Lord is done using you on this Earth, why would you want to stay for even one more minute if the Lord is finished with you? Aren’t you ready to go? I certainly wouldn’t want to waste my time down here.

Let Nothing Hinder You

When you don’t seek and find the secret place of the Lord, you will blame others for your faults and failures and for the times you don’t obey God or do what He asks you to. When you do decide to get victory over self, you will find that special place. Then no person or situation will be able to hinder you.

When you give in to the desires of your spouse, child or any other family member or friend, you are bowing down to the devil’s distractions; and there are so many unhappy people in this world who have done just that. That is why you must be able to say as Paul did, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39).

There are marriages in which one spouse dominates or even threatens the other and always tells them what to do, but that is not the way it is supposed to be. No one wants to be a slave and live in constant fear. Marriage is to be a loving relationship of respect for one another. If yours doesn’t operate like that, then you won’t have a happy home.

People can get between you and God or fail you altogether no matter who they are, so you always have to keep your eyes on Jesus. Someone may promise to do something for you but never follow through. God makes promises, and He always follows through on them as long as you do your part and live for Him. I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it (Ezekiel 24:14).

Also, you can bend over backwards to do things for people, and they just aren’t very grateful anymore. Unfortunately, that’s the kind of age we live in, but God takes notice of and appreciates everything we do for Him. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

Put Self Down

The Early Church Christians showed us that when they finally got victory over themselves and found that secret place of the most High, nothing could stop them. They lost sight of their own lives and focused on pleasing the Lord, and you must do the same thing. If you don’t, there are plenty of things in this world the devil can use to sidetrack you.

The devil is very deceiving, and he’ll make you think your problems are coming from everywhere but you. He doesn’t want you to wake up to the fact that you are your biggest troublemaker because he doesn’t want you to move your awful, old self out of the way.

The devil will also tell you that Jesus would never want you to hurt your family and friends by ignoring them and their needs to do things for the Lord, but the devil is so deceiving. Of course, you have to properly take care of your family and your children; but your most important task has to be pleasing the Lord.

In the secret place of the Lord, you are completely surrendered to God’s will. His ambitions become your ambitions; and your daily cry is, “Lord, I want to be used by you.” You lose sight of this life and put value on winning souls and the new life to come. Nothing counts but serving the Lord.

One day, you will leave everything in this world behind; and only the things you have done for the Lord will matter. The [divine] fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (I Corinthians 3:13-15).

Always Put God First

As a child of God, you must put the Lord and His work above all else. You must put self on the altar of sacrifice and leave him there. Some people have claimed to have done that, but they have deceived themselves and others as well. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain (James 1:26).

There are so many people who will talk one way and act another; but the Bible says, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Some people will say, “Lord, I’ll do anything for you.” Then they sit around waiting for an audible voice to speak to them. That isn’t the way the Lord works, so they end up doing nothing and feeling justified when they should be on duty for the Lord at all times. Some even think that if they don’t feel God moving on them to go to church, then they don’t have to go; but the Word says, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is (Hebrews 10:25).

There was a man in my hometown who ran a little general store, and he gave his life to that business. After I had started preaching, I held a revival in that town just a few blocks from his store. I made it my business to go see him and invite him to the revival. He was getting up in years and didn’t have Jesus in his heart; but sadly, he told me he was too busy with his store. I couldn’t get over the fact that he thought he didn’t have time for God.

A while later, I heard that the man had passed away. He had to leave that little store behind whether he wanted to or not, and he went into eternity without God. When the death angel came for him, he may have said, “I can’t go now; I have to keep my store open.” But that angel didn’t care. That man had given his whole life to something that didn’t count with the Lord at all. You had better not fall into that deadly trap.

A Place of Strength and Faith

So many people have excuses for not going to church today, and it’s because they haven’t found the secret place of the Lord. The Early Church Christians found that place, and they were being so persecuted that they had to gather together in secret. Would you risk your life to go to God’s house? You may think you can never have that much love and faith; but when you find that secret place in the Lord, you can.

Having that special fellowship with the Lord makes you much stronger than you realize, and you can take more than you think you can; so never give up and throw in the towel. Just look to Jesus, and all fear will leave. Yes, there will be times when you think you can’t take any more; but when you meet God in that secret place, He will give you everything you need to have victory.

To live in that secret place in the Lord, you will go through many valleys, cross many rivers, climb many mountains and fight many giants; but that secret place is worth it, and the Lord will always be right by your side. He said, When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2).

When Job finally found the secret place in the Lord, God brought him out of everything; and he wasn’t afraid anymore. God gave Job ten more children, and he was no longer afraid that they would be swept away. He looked at all the cattle on the hills that God had restored to him, and he was no longer afraid he would wake up one morning and find them gone. When all the fear truly leaves you, you will be a conqueror.

The Devil Never Quits

I pray that each one of you will have a desire to diligently search for the secret place of the Lord so you will never be defeated in life. You can live such a victorious life, and that is why the devil tries so hard to keep you away from it. He may not be able to get you to fail God; but he will constantly fill your mind with worry, fear, torment, condemnation and anything else he can think of to keep you out of the secret place of the Lord.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). The devil will never leave you alone. He wants to keep beating you down until you become so weak that you can’t function. The devil’s goal is to deceive you in every way he can and make you think the Lord has forgotten about you and no longer hears your prayers. He tries to convince you that you will never receive the miracle or deliverance you need and that you are walking afar off from God when that may not be the case at all.

Regardless of what the devil brings against you, you must always remember that he is a liar. He [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).

Wait Patiently on God

The devil is full of lies, but the Lord is full of truth. The devil will tell you that your problems will never be solved; but Jesus promised, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Luke 11:9). The Lord may not always move as quickly as you think He should, but He will move.

The Bible says, In your patience possess ye your souls (Luke 21:19). Your soul is the most important part about you; so if you can possess your soul through patience, you can possess everything else you need through patience as well. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

When you have done God’s will, hold onto His promises and keep the faith. The devil will do all he can to discourage and defeat you, but just wait patiently for the fulfillment of God’s promises to you. Don’t struggle; simply wait, knowing that God never fails. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Keep your eyes on Jesus and abide in the secret place with Him, and He will hold you in the hollow of His hands. There you will find all the answers you need for today and every tomorrow you have left on this Earth. The Lord will draw you ever onward through the power of the Holy Ghost, so you can’t turn back or even slow down. Rapture Day is much too close.