"Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead." — Benjamin Franklin
A SECRET is something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others. It is also something that is not properly understood; a mystery. Finally, a secret is a valid but not commonly known or recognized method for achieving or maintaining something—like when we ask, "What's the secret to a long and healthy life?" We all have secrets we'd rather not share, things we hold close to the chest. Families have secrets. Workplaces have secrets. Governments have secrets. There's even a US department called the Secret Service. Some secrets are held to protect the guilty. Others are kept to shield the innocent. There's a lot of secrecy going on. Can you imagine what would happen if everyone's secrets were on display? When we do or say something, "in secret" it means we do it without others knowing.
Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6 that they were not to do pious deeds to be seen by people. When they gave charitable gifts, they were to do so in secret, not sounding a trumpet, because that would be for the glory of men. Their Heavenly Father would reward what was done in secret openly. (Vs. 1-3) When they prayed, they were to go into their rooms, shut the door, and pray to the Father in secret, and He would reward them openly. (vs. 5-6) When they fasted, they were to anoint their heads, wash their faces, fast in secret, and not look sad so they would not appear to others to be fasting. God the Father, whom Jesus said not only sees in secret, but dwells in the secret place...would reward them openly. (Vs. 17-18) This hidden, secret, righteous life of Believers insulates us with humility, focuses our attention on the LORD, and weans us from the craving to be seen, applauded, and acknowledged.
Not only does God the Father live in the Secret Place...He invites us to dwell there with Him. This Hebrew word sether means a shelter, a hiding place, a covert or cover, (like the tail feathers of a bird). David said he would hide and take refuge under the shelter of God's wings until the danger and calamities passed. (Psalm 57:1) He wrote this as he hid in a cave fleeing from a jealous king Saul who was pursuing and trying to kill him. Psalm 91 is a profound writing on the Secret Place. It is comforting for any troubling time:
1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.12In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.15He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16With long life I will satisfy him,And show him My salvation.”
The LORD is inviting all of us to the Secret Place. | 
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