Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Tell me how to do that! It is a secret place after all, and no one just gives out the location of secret hideouts. I can tell you when I am not there easily, I feel exposed. Do you ever feel that way?

91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

My night frights have ended but I would be a liar to tell you that I don’t concern myself with those fiery darts I see day in and day out. Trouble abounds in this world and it seems like the enemy is coming for us.

91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Those at my side are my brothers and sisters in Christ. There but by the grace of God it could have just as easily been me that fell.

91:9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Show me O Lord thy secret dwelling place.

91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

So why do I feel exposed?

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

It is His way of telling me that I am not there yet.

“Press on My son, press on.”

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Have you ever been or heard of a team building seminar where you have to do a trust test? You are partnered up with a team member and you turn your back and fall into the arms of your partner. It is a little scary but you know that if they should fail to catch you, then when it come their turn, then their failure creates all that much more fear as you become the catcher.

Not so with God. God never depends on you to “catch” Him. This testing of trust is all one sided. We have to trust God. God doesn’t have to trust us. There is no assurance in our performance which will build trust in God towards us.

Luke 12:47-48 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

My fear is that we forget so easily that which is committed to us. Grace and mercy and forgiveness is such a large part of our personal experience and in that God is ever faithful. He catches us, but we have no way to build trust but to seek and obey. I for one know that I am not perfect in performance.

What does it take to motivate a man to take God at His Word? Love, fear, promises or do you need a reward?

Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

I will give you a hint here. We are His reward.