The Secret of His Presence

(Psalms 91:1–2 NKJV) ¶ 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.”

I love the hour before dawn because that is when I spend my sweetest time with God in the study of His word and in prayer.  The house is dark except for the pool of light around my chair.  Interruptions at that hour are rare.  The only sounds are the ticking of our antique mantle clocks and the soft snoring of our miniature poodle who is curled up on the couch.

This hour is not for planning or for working... it is devoted entirely to reading God's word and to prayer.  To read and meditate on God's word.  To softly sing hymns of praise.  To praise and glorify God.  To desire Him and His will above all earthly things.  To lay out before Him every joy or sorrow - every plan or puzzle.  To revel in His love.  To rest in His love.  To get a taste of heaven's joy.

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.

When my soul is faint and thirsty, ’neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter, and a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me, as we hold communion sweet:
If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we meet,
What He says when thus we meet.

Only this I know: I tell Him all my doubts, my griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens! and my drooping soul He cheers:
Do you think He ne’er reproves me? What a false Friend He would be,
If He never, never told me of the sins which He must see,
Of the sins which He must see.

Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence of that happy meeting place,
You must mind and bear the image of the Master in your face,
Of the Master in your face.  (Poem by Ellen L. Goreh - 1883)