PRINCIPLES OF PRESERVATION IN

DIFFICULT TIMES

No. 3, The Secret Place, Part 1

We are living in uncertain times. We have an economy that is extremely shaky, a government that has run a mock with spending and wanting to destroy our blood-bought freedoms and exchange our godly heritage, as well as our godly constitution, for a godless intellectual ideology. It is now called by fake names such as social justice and progressiveness, which is none other than failed communism. Surely, God who is the righteous judge of all the earth is speaking to us with capital letters for those who have eyes to see.

We here in the Nashville area of Tennessee have seen the worst flooding ever recorded in our local history. Who knows what unbelievable damage may be done to our coast lines by the deep sea oil well that continues to spew vast amounts of oil into the ocean, 60 miles from our shores. Despite these judgments, homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and divorce continue to grow and repentance is not on the American church agendas. But without a doubt, repentance is on God's agenda for USA. The question is, just how loud does God have to speak to get our attention?

I am also very concerned at the way our president is snubbing and bullying Israel. I pray that God does not hold this against our nation for I do not believe that our President's stand against Israel represents the true sentiments of most Americans toward Israel.

The Secret Place Defined

Psalm 91:1, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty."

The secret place is the state of being under God's protection to the point that nothing can do you any harm unless God himself, for whatever reason, permits it. Even then, in time we will look back and see His loving hand of faithfulness. It is interesting to note

that this secret hiding place is "of the most High." It is a hiding place that is of Him, provided by Him. He is above all things and all things are subject to Him who is the highest authority of all authority, dominion and power. His provision of a secret hiding place is not an abstract idea, made up of beautiful pious words that sound good, but amount to nothing.

This secret place is as true as he is true and as real as He is real. This secret place belongs to Him. It is provided by Him and guarded by Him who is the Most High God. Furthermore, this secret place is a wonderful and amazing provision by the Most High God for all his children who choose to benefit by it in the battle we face against our enemies.

In Job 1:10 Satan states that Job was in a secret place-a hedge that God placed around him. "Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of His hands, and his substance is increased in the land." This passage ties in perfectly with Psalm 91. The hedge about Job was most likely angelic or some sort of spiritual hedge. Although not seen by man, as a stone wall around a castle is physically seen, Satan and destroying devils could plainly see it. They knew it was there and they could not touch Job and all that belonged to Him, no matter what they tried to do. Job remained untouchable. It must not be overlooked that in a sense it was Job's lifestyle as pronounced by none other than God himself that caused God to reward Job with this hedge of protection.

In Job 1:8 God stated that Job was perfect, meaning that he was mature in the character of righteousness, not necessarily sinless, for no man is without sin. Job was upright, feared god and eschewed evil, which means he pushed evil away from Him.

In Job 2:3 God added another virtue to Job's list of character qualities that was not mentioned before. In the midst of all his calamity and suffering he "held fast to his integrity." No matter what destruction and pain Job went through, he refused to sin and charge God foolishly. In the heat of his trial he states with solid conviction, "Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go." (Job 27:5-6) Perhaps this virtue of integrity was the purpose of the whole trial. Integrity is a preservation principle which we will cover in another email.

No virtue is valid until it is proven and tested in the iron furnace. Psalm 25:21 says, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." We notice that Job was not under a Jewish covenant that gave him protection, for according to theologians, Job was not a Jew. It was Job's godliness of life that rewarded him such a secret place. Revelation 19:8, "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints."

We know that we have true righteousness through faith in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:30 states, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." However, this imputed righteousness does not mean that we no longer need to practice righteousness.  Many translate Revelation 19:8 as the righteous acts of the saints which create the clean linen garments.

In Luke 4:28-39 we see Jesus being led to a steep place, perhaps a cliff, by the angry mob. They wanted to kill him by throwing him down head first but he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Jesus was held in a secret place. Godly forces were around him to protect him until the time came for his crucifixion.

In 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha's servant, who was in a state of fear, had to have his eyes opened to see the angelic hosts that were protecting Elijah and the servant. This was their secret place.

We also remember Daniel in the lion's den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace and many more who knew the divine protection of the Almighty because they all chose to walk in principles that belong to the "secret place."

Because of uncertain days ahead, we should give due diligence to make sure we dwell in the secret place. We will discuss more about it in the next message.

COLIN CAMPBELL

In the next few months, Colin will continue to give you biblical principles for preservation in difficult times. To receive these messages, send a blank email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Colin is the husband of Nancy Campbell, Editor of Above Rubies, www.aboverubies.org

Colin can be contacted at 615 948 5958 for speaking engagements.

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