The Secret Place: Meeting God in the Stillness

WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2025

TEXT: PSALM 27:1-14

1: The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

2: When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

3: Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

4: One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

5: For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

6: Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7: Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

8: My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9: Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

10: Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

11: Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

12: Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

13: I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14: Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: ONE THING I ASK FROM THE LORD

The passion of David's life was to dwell in God's presence. He used the house of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the dwelling and sacred tent of the Lord to symbolize God's presence and affirm that wherever God chose to reveal Himself, that was where he wanted to be.

The psalmist was surrounded by opponents with no prospect of escape, from the human standpoint. But he remained confident and fearless since he had God as his dwelling place.

The enemies are a distraction from what is most important to the psalmist, the one thing he always asked for: being able to enter and remain in the house of the Lord.

In Africa, people are always afraid of one thing or another. Africans need to read Psalm 27, especially from verses one to three.

QUESTION: Are you always afraid of going to your village because of demonic attacks?

PRAYER: As an antidote against fear, one thing I ask for, dear Lord, is to dwell in Your presence.