Where I Want to Be in 2021

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

A new year is upon us again. It seems as though everyone is holding their breaths as they anticipate what is in store for 2021. As I reflect on this past year, I am so grateful for God’s goodness and protection. Many I know have faced some extremely trying moments, and I can only pray they have been aware of God’s unchanging and unfathomable love despite their circumstances.

Psalm 91 is one of those passages to which many Christians cling in trying times. At the beginning of this past year I was listening to a preacher speak on this subject and was drawn in by his interpretation of the first verse. He spoke of the “secret place” as being that place where we meet with God for our quiet time. I began thinking about how it truly is a secret place. No one else can enter into, or even imagine, my moments with the one, true God. The details of those moments are intimate, personal, and fulfilling in a way that nothing else is for me. I can try to describe how the Lord communicates and reveals Himself to me as I ponder His Word, but one can only comprehend this by having his/her own time with Him in one’s very own secret place. The joy, peace, and contentment that comes from that time is unparalleled to any other pursuit in which I engage.

There have been moments in which I have felt overwhelmed, fearful, or exhausted. Instructing my children to entertain themselves for a while, I have gone into my room, closed the door, read scripture, and then poured out my heart to God in sobs. Sometimes I have gone outside and walked around telling God all my feelings. He recalls verses to my mind to comfort me, and I sense His presence in such a real way. No matter where that time with Him happens, I always emerge stronger and more peaceful. This is true rest for the weary soul.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

In my opinion, “abide” and “dwell” are great words for 2021. No matter what comes, may I be found abiding in the Word of God and dwelling under the safety of His wings. How foolish to ignore His pleadings with me to draw close to Him! This thought reminds me of Luke 13:34, where Jesus says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!”

Father, please keep me close to You. You know my heart is prone to wander, but my deepest desire is to be found in You in the good times, bad times, and in between times. Here’s my heart, Lord; take and seal it for Thy courts above.* In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

“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.’

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at dwelling;

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

‘Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.'”

Psalm 91

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

“In the Garden” hymn by C. Austin Miles

*See “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” hymn by Robert Robinson