Psalm 27:5-6

Scripture

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.  And now my head will be lifted above my enemies around me and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Observation

The first thing I did when observing this verse is highlight some key words and look up definitions to them, even if I think I know the definition.   I looked up multiple words, but I want to share two with you that really enlightened me.

Conceal - (verb) to hide; withdraw or remove from observation; cover or keep from sight (dictionary.com)

Secret Place - (Dictionary.com) - secluded, sheltered, or withdrawn: a secret hiding place. Beyond ordinary human understanding

Have there every been times in your life that you just wanted to hide?  I personally have lots of those times; it is apart of my introverted nature.  People find it hard to believe, they see me as an outgoing  people person.  But I am only brave enough to do that when I know that I am concealed by God.  Psalm 91:1, 4  say's- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge.

I also looked up the definition of tabernacle and the verb tense of the word struck a chord with me, it said "to place or dwell in, or as if in, a tabernacle. " (dictionary.com).  I like the verb tense because it requires action from me.   I have to place myself in the Secret Place of the Most High God, it is a choice I make. When I do that I find that I am protected, favored, and given wisdom to handle all situations.  Like David, I feel like I am placed on a rock, heads above my enemy.  I can see people and situations now from a God-perspective.   There is no better place to be then to dwell in the tabernacle of the LORD.

Application

Putting on the armor of God (listed in Ephesians 6) is very much like choosing to dwell in the tabernacle of the LORD. It is hard to do everyday, especially when the busyness of the day beckons you to move things along.  But I know God's promises are both  good and true when I choose to take the time to withdraw to His secret place and be sheltered in the shadow of His wings.  If you would like to know some of those promises a great Psalm to read is Psalm 91.  I try to make a list of God's promises and will write P next to a promise in the bible.  Knowing His promises, helps me to stop my over-productive nature and to just dwell for awhile in God's amazing presence.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your word and how each day it is used both to encourage and instruct me (Rom. 15:4).  Father in Your tabernacle I find refuge, You charge Your angels to guard me in all my ways and  I can tread upon both lion and cobra when walking in Your shadow (Psalm 91:11-13).  I know Your promises of faithfulness and deliverance are true.  With my voice I gladly sing praises my King.   I praise You for the armor that Your presence provides me each day.  I choose this day to place the belt of truth around my waist, to shod my feet with the gospel of peace, to wear the breastplate of righteousness, to take up the shield of faith, and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is Your mighty Word (Eph. 6:13-18). Jesus, You are the Word, and it is Your name that I pray this (John 1:1).