Psalm 91: The Secret Place

by Pastor Roy Esposito

Matthew 13:18-23, 37-38 – Parable of the Seeds

Seeds – hold the potential within themselves to become what God has intended.
Seeds – have a hard shell that must be penetrated for that potential to be released

Matthew 13:19-23 – Seeds are the Word of God

Isaiah 55:11 – Word will not return to God empty and without bearing fruit, It will PROSPER

Parable of the Seed – Jesus suggests that not all seeds will bear fruit.

Wayside – not understood and easily snatched away
Stony – never fully experienced, never takes root; disregarded when trouble comes
Thorns – choked and unfruitful by the cares of life and ambition
Good soil – hears and understands – is fruitful

How can both these scriptures be true and valid? A Paradox?

2 Chronicles 20:20 – “Believe in the Lord, your God and be established. Believe in His prophets and you will PROSPER.”

Superior Truth — God’s Word will always prosper in the big picture but in order for it to prosper in an individual, it must be believed.

Matthew 13:37-38 – “Sons of the Kingdom” -the good seeds who plant Kingdom Fruit – (Galatians 5:22-23)

BELIEVE (Hebrew) – To find “TRUSTWORTHY” – firm, sure, and fixed in our hearts so that we understand that it’s true, faithful, and worthy of our trust.

This is the necessary condition of the heart (good soil) that allows the full potential of the seed to be realized in our lives.

When the Word is received as trustworthy God is able to penetrate our outer shell and unveil its power, favor, glory, and grace which germinates the seed and energizes its full potential.

Using our Faith in His Word, consistently, will cause the life of Christ to be formed in us and we experience it as the resting place of His love which becomes the SOURCE for our life – our SECRET PLACE.

Creating the SECRET PLACE – begins with a desire to know God better and at a deeper level; constantly seeking God’s love, comfort, and protection.

Securing all the promises contained in Psalm 91 are dependent on dwelling and abiding in the Secret Place (Vs 1-3)

Dwell – make a permanent residence
Abide – remain, continue, stay
Refuge – shelter, protection from danger

What is this Secret place? Where can it be found? A Physical place?

The secret Place is NOT a time slot! Not a compartment! Not on a schedule!

Psalm 1:2 – “My delight is in the law of the Lord and on it, I meditate day and night.”

Meditate
Western – intellectual
Eastern – empty one’s mind
Biblical – Fill one’s mind with God thoughts replacing the existing toxic thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

David didn’t have “quiet time” with God – he had a relationship with Him.

His secret place was not an actual place sometimes but an attitude of his heart.

Our Secret Place – a place of “knowing,” trusting where we experience God as worthy of our trust.

It allows us to pull back from the fear and drama of life and find the wisdom we need to neutralize the drama.

Sons of the Kingdom – “Oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.” –(Isaiah 61: 3) who are led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14)

Building Your Secret Place

Renew your mind daily – (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23-24, Ephesians 5:26)
Refocus your emotions so that your soul is in full submission to God’s Word.
Give God your all-day-everyday. Erase compartments and time slots.