Behind Closed Doors — Week 4
By Mable Manning, Prison Chaplain and Pastor of the Cross Roads Church of God,
Gastonia, North Carolina

What takes place behind closed doors? The presence of God is revealed. The promise, the plan, the provision becomes evident.

When we are behind closed doors, our mind, body and spirit become aware of the presence of God. Psalm 91 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty1. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust2.”

It seems that as we find our “secret place” to pray, the remainder of promises of Psalm 91 are keenly noticeable in our everyday life. “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence3. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler4. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day5.” What awesome promises to rely on daily after spending time behind closed doors in our own personal “secret place of prayer.”

The promises of God continue in Psalm 91: “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee7. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked8. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation9.” Behind closed doors we can develop a similar relationship with the Lord that the Shumanite woman expressed in Scripture. When asked about the condition of her son, her response to Elisha was, “It is well.”

We can only experience the stability of the statement it is well when we have spent time in our individual secret place behind closed doors. As we continue this journey of life, we will experience the remainder of the promises of Psalm 91: “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling10. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways11. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone12. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet13.”

The story of the Shumanite woman gives us the confidence today to believe the same. It is well with my soul as the songwriter describes in our “Red Back Hymnal.” It is well with our sons and daughters, our grandchildren, even to the many generations God gives to us. It is as Psalm 91 describes in the last three verses: “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name14. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him15. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation16.” Where does all of this take place? Behind closed doors!

Site by WinWorld