How To Find The Secret Place To Encounter God

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1 NKJV)

The term "secret place" appears dozens of times in both the Old and New Testaments. Some translations use the word shelter, covering, or dwelling rather than "secret place." In the Old Testament, "secret place" comes from the Hebrew root word 'satar/cether,' which means to hide or be concealed and refers to both shelter and secret things. It speaks of the hidden world of a mother's womb as a child develops (Psalm 139:15).

Before the Fall of Adam and Eve the Bible seems to infer that God would spend time with them walking just as one would do with a loved one (Genesis 3:8). The Bible constantly urges the redeemed to spend time “walking with God” and praying in secret without ceasing, giving thanks for everything (Matthew 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). The "secret place" is the heart of God!!

Jesus gave the best definition of the Secret Place.

"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6 ESV)

Entering and remaining in the Secret Place is an absolute must for anointing in ministry. The most common trait of those throughout history who had a powerful anointing of God is not letting anything or anyone hinder them from entering the Secret Place. To dwell in the Secret Place means to live in a place of continually drawing near to Jesus, moment by moment, breath by breath.

Jesus said, "Seek and you will find" (Matthew 7:7 ESV). God has promised that when a person seeks Him with "all" their "heart" they will find Him! (Jeremiah 29:13) The only way to miss seeing Him is if they are not looking! God will draw near, and His glory will completely overwhelm them, just as the priests who "could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kings 8:10-11 NKJV).

Those who have God as their constant companion and keep their thoughts continually on Him are invited to dwell in, and not just visit, the Secret Place. It is within the Secret Place of habitually and intentionally living in His presence in deep communion and intimacy where one is surrounded with songs of deliverance. God is our impenetrable refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:2). He will keep us from the emotional struggles of guilt, sadness, and sorrow when the enemy reminds us of our past mistakes, failures, and sins (Psalm 91:1-16).

The Shadow of the Almighty

The word "shadow" (Heb: 'tsel') signifies protection. It also alludes to the most holy place, the Holy of Holies, in the Tabernacle and Temple, as well as to the outstretched wings of the Cherubim covering the ark and mercy seat (Psalm 27:5, 32:7).

The person who remains under the shadow of the Almighty will receive His protection as the result of making Him their defense and strong tower. God is the all-sufficient one and can do all things for His people.

The enemy can't touch those who remain under the shadow of God because His grace protects them. They are lifted above all principalities and powers. It is a place of security and protection from the evil conspiracies of the enemy as God surrounds them with deliverance (Psalm 32:7; also 18:1-2, 19:14, 61:2, 71:3). It is a place of God's holy concealment in all things and there is no thought of grieving the Holy Spirit or apprehension of God's wrath that will come upon the world for rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior because He has redeemed the Born-Again Christian, and they can join with all creation and worship Him with unhindered joy and reverence.

Dwelling in the Secret Place

God invites us to join Him and live in the Secret Place of the heart because He is Spirit and His glory is beyond our ability to fully perceive His merciful goodness. When Moses wanted to see the glory of God, the Lord explained that no person could see Him and live, so He allowed Moses to see His glory only from a secret place (Exodus 33:20).

"And the Lord said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by." (Exodus 33:21-22 ESV)