Wed.’s Devo - Dwelling in the Secret Place

Read 1 Kings 8:1-66, Acts 7:51-8:13, Ps. 129:1-8, Pr. 17:1 The ark of the covenant was brought to the temple to be placed in the Holy of Holies in the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles will be the fulfillment of God establishing his kingdom on earth and this was a type of that day. When the ark was laid in its place the cloud of God’s presence so filled the temple that them priests could not perform their duties. It was God’s presence dwelling under the shadow of the angel’s wings. 1 Co. 6:19 says that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Psalms 91:1 says, “He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” We house the Holy presence of God in our own bodies and when we dwell in God’s presence then we are protected and nothing can offend or harm us. There is no fear in God’s presence. In Acts, Stephen finishes his sermon with fire. He calls the Jew’s finest stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart. Needless to say, they were greatly offended and broke out against Stephen but Stephen was dwelling in the secret place of the most High and he saw the glory of God. His body was stoned but something tells me, he didn’t feel a single hit. He was concentrated on seeing into heaven. They threw his clothes at Saul’s feet who would soon take up Stephen’s mantle much like Elisha took up Elijah’s and do even more harm to Satan’s kingdom. Lord, when all looks bad, may we, like Stephen, look up to heaven and see You. May we dwell in Your secret place today.