“It is not the opposition of the world that most endangers the church of Christ.” The Acts of the Apostles, 549. Our greatest dangers come from within, not from without. (See also Testimonies, vol. 5, 477; Selected Messages, vol. 1, 122.)
John the beloved said near the end of his life, “I am a weak and sinful man.” The Acts of the Apostles, 570. If this man who was the beloved disciple, through whom Jesus communicated His deepest spiritual teaching to His people (The Desire of Ages, 292), was a weak and sinful man, what about the rest of us? Moses was wise concerning his condition, He asked the Lord not to let him see his own wretchedness (Numbers 11:15). “The vileness of the human heart is not understood.” Medical Ministry, 143. We dare not focus our attention within or upon others, this will only bring trouble, darkness and gloom of anguish (Isaiah 8:22). Our only safety is in the secret place of the Most High, where we will be under the omnipotent shadow. May you be learning to have this constant experience each day.
Here are some encouraging promises about it:
“Seek the Lord often in prayer. In the secret place, alone, the eye sees Jesus and the ear is opened to Jesus. You come forth from the secret place of prayer to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Temptations come, but you press closer and still closer to the side of Jesus and place your hand in His hand. Then you gain a rich experience, resting in His love and rejoicing in His mercy. The worries and perplexities and cares are gone, and you rejoice in Jesus Christ. The soul is quick to hear the Father’s voice, and you will commune with God. All criticism is banished, all judging of others has been expelled from the soul . . .
“The way to the throne of God is always open. You cannot always be on your knees in prayer, but your silent petitions may constantly ascend to God for strength and guidance. When tempted, as you will be, you may flee to the secret place of the Most High. His everlasting arms will be underneath you. We come to God by special invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience chamber . . . We may be admitted into closest intimacy and communion with God.” In Heavenly Places, 86.
“The great mass of the world will reject God’s mercy, and will be overwhelmed in swift and irretrievable ruin. But those who heed the warning shall dwell ‘in the secret place of the most High,’ and ‘abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ His truth shall be their shield and buckler.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 167.
“While the voice of God is making itself heard through His servants in warning and entreaties, he [Satan] is mustering his forces. He engages his host with gigantic energies to make, through his sophistry, cruelties, and oppression, the words of warning of none effect. The people are tested, and the great mass will be found on the side of the great deceiver, and will be overwhelmed in swift and irretrievable destruction. But those that heed the warnings of God, and in their lives bring forth fruits meet for repentance, shall ‘dwell in the secret place of the Most High;’ they ‘shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ For them is the promise: ‘With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ ” Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886.
“Prayer is the breath of the soul. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the life-work marred. But Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering.” Signs of the Times, February 3, 1904. (See also Education, 80.)
“Each worker, as he goes forth to this labor, should realize that he is as surely sent of God as were the first disciples. God’s eye follows them; His Spirit goes with them. To those who accept His great commission He gives the assurance, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ The psalmist declares, ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.’ Servants of God, you have great advantages, which you should appreciate.” Manuscript Release, vol. 20, 266. Unless we live Christ’s life of obedience, our profession is worthless. RH August 2, 1906.