When I was about 15 or 16 years old, living in the hostel of a Christian high school in Ibadan, our Mama (the proprietress of the school) came into the girls’ dormitory to address some challenges we were facing. I vividly remember her sharing Psalm 91 with us and encouraging us to recite it regularly. During my time at school, when I had nightmares, I would wake up in fear, but as soon as I recited Psalm 91, the nightmares would stop, and I would fall back asleep in peace.
As I grew older, I had Psalm 91 memorized and could recite it without opening my Bible. Recently, in January, I woke up from a nightmare, overwhelmed with fear, glancing at my door certain that what I had seen in the dream might come true. I stayed in that state for a while, reminding myself that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but still feeling paralyzed. Eventually, I gathered the courage to grab the remote, turn on the TV, and put on a sermon by Apostle Osayi Arome. This helped me regain some strength and push my anxious thoughts away.
Apostle Osayi Arome was speaking about the condition of our hearts, and out of curiosity, I asked God to show me the state of mine, so I could better understand where I stood with Him. As I drifted back to sleep, I had an unexpected yet deeply significant experience—something I had carried with me for a long time was revealed. After a quiet conversation with God, wondering how my heart could be renewed, He led me to Psalm 91:1. I felt called to explore it with a deeper focus than I ever had before. I believe God’s grace covered me during the times I didn’t fully understand this chapter but still had the faith to pray it consistently. Now, he was using it as a heart check—a profound verse for such a moment.
Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Apostle Joshua Selman shares that while God is omnipresent, He does not meet with everyone everywhere. The secret place is a spiritual posture that requires time and intention. God desires a relationship, and that relationship grows when both parties can be trusted. For me, God showed me what I needed to see because He knew the secret place would be where my heart would be restored. I know God can be trusted, but the consistency of my “dwelling in the secret place” shows Him that I have a desire for Him. It reveals my longing to become His dwelling place, and that He can trust me to show up every day for revelation and intimacy.
In Luke 10:38-42, we see a contrast between Martha and Mary when Jesus visits Martha’s home. Martha is preoccupied with serving, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words. What Martha did wasn’t necessarily wrong; after all, when Jesus visits, it’s natural to want to serve Him with the best you have. However, Mary understood when to serve and when to simply be with Jesus. This is why Jesus gently rebuked Martha, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Both serving and sitting at Jesus’ feet are important, but there are times when we must choose the better part—the one that cannot be taken from us.
Redemption is for all of us, but intimacy with God is a choice. It’s like seeking a job—if you knew where the owner lived and had access to that location, no one would force you to visit, but your need would drive you to show up until you meet with him and get what you desire. Similarly, God doesn’t compete with distractions; He waits for us to live in His presence and that is a conscious decision.
Pastor Vlad of Hungry Generation opened my eyes to something important. When Adam sinned, God still desired to spend time with him. Despite Adam’s disobedience, God came to him in the cool of the night to reason with him. Adam, however, hid from God. We, too, can either live in the secret place or live in secret sin. You cannot dwell in Christ and not be pruned, reproved or disciplined. David understood this very well and through the book of Psalm, many times we see David dwelling with God and asking God to literally try him by fire. It is in the secret place that we emerge refined and purified. Humans without the fruit of the spirit manifest wickedness, you don’t know who you truly are until God opens you up like a book. Even reading a regular book takes time to flip through the pages and assimilate the words. How much more you, so complex with so many layers. It will take time to know God and God will take His time to transform you. Transformation does not happen overnight, it happens overtime.
Pastor Vlad also said that God enjoys our presence more than we enjoy His. He has scars to prove His love for spending time with us—even in our sin and iniquity. Simply coming into His presence brings Him great joy. I was recently watching the movie Surprised by Oxford, and there was a scene where a painting depicted a religious figure knocking on a door, but the handle was on the inside. The door could only be opened from within. Similarly, God stands at the door of our hearts, knocking. Only we can open the door, and for us to truly dwell with Him, that door must always remain open for Him.
The secret place is not a place for mere recitation of Bible verses; it’s a place of genuine prayer and communion. The urgency you should have is the urgency to spend time with God and not to say a few words so that you can get on with your day. He is Alpha and Omega; He owns all your days. We don’t go into the secret place to find Him, that is where He lives. We go there to be quiet, to listen before we speak. To talk about our day, to worship, and to meditate on the word of God. When you spend enough time with him, Psalm 51 and Romans 12:1 will come from your heart, because out of the abundance of the heart, your mouth will only speak two things: mercy and surrender.
God waits for us to yield to Him; He does not push. Yielding allows us to truly enter His presence. Job 32:8 says, but there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. The Holy spirit already dwells inside of us and God reveals Himself through His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10) and when that searching takes places, the revelation of God’s heart for you, the blueprint of your destiny is revealed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the secret place.
Minister Dunsin Oyenkan once said, “The devil knows the Word of God, but he lacks the Holy Spirit.” As believers, we have both the Word and the Holy Spirit, making us seated in heavenly places with Christ. The devil’s tactic is to lure us out of God’s secret place, where we are safe from harm. The devil knows that outside of God’s shelter, we are vulnerable, but in His shadow, we are protected. If you study Psalm 91 carefully, from beginning to end, you’ll understand what happens to those who do not dwell in God’s secret place. Redemption is free, but many of the blessings outlined in Scripture come at a cost. The cost of abiding in the shadow of the Almighty is giving God all of you in return for Him giving you all of Himself every day. Apostle Selman stated that when we choose God, He gives us Himself—just as God gave His Son for the world (John 3:16).
The shadow of the Almighty is the ultimate place of safety. Whether at work, in the car, or asleep, we remain under His care when we dwell in His shadow. This includes freedom from addiction, depression, loneliness, envy, and bitterness—God is the cure for everything. But dwelling with Him requires yielding. When you choose to make this commitment, everything in your life will fight against it, but continue choosing to dwell with Him, and Honestly, those who seek God diligently with all their hearts are the ones who find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
How do you start? Make time within your day, choose a quiet environment, and be still. If you need to play worship songs, study your Bible, or do something to help you ascend and be in tune with your spirit, do that. Minister to the Lord in psalms and words of love—tell Him how altogether lovely He is, how His name is like oil poured out. Don’t start by asking for things; begin by asking for Him. Make this a daily practice. One day, in your quiet moment with God, simply because you chose to spend time with Him, He will come in the fullness of His majesty and that encounter will change your life forever.
Shalom.
