Dear Friend,

     Are you being assailed by troubles? Does it seem that the enemy’s attack is intensifying? Are you wondering how to fight back against the onslaught?

     As most of us know all too well, there are times in the Christian life when warfare seems to surround us. Thankfully, it isn’t the case all the time. But how do we handle those times when the battles are particularly intense—when life seems like a war zone?

     I recently saw a phrase in one of David’s psalms that brought me into a greater understanding of the power and protection afforded us by the presence of God. Here’s the truth I discovered: safety and help can come when we are positioned in His presence.

“At Your Presence”

     Every Monday, the staff of Derek Prince Ministries begins the week with a prayer meeting to devote our work to the Lord. As a first order of business, we gather to place the new week in God’s hands and to make a declaration from Scripture, following the example of our founder, Derek Prince, who believed strongly in the power of proclamation.

     On a recent Monday, the passage we read and proclaimed together as a staff was from Psalm 9:1–3: “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence.”

     The rest of Psalm 9 talks further about the Lord being our refuge and our protector. But that phrase, “perish at Your presence” really stood out to me. The New Living Version says, “My enemies retreated; they staggered and died when You appeared.”
 

Looking to the Lord

     A related passage that immediately came to mind was the story in 2 Chronicles 20 when King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah were surrounded by the armies of three invading nations. Jehoshaphat’s statement in verse 12 summed up their dilemma: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (Can you identify with what he was expressing?)

     Facing a huge threat, they were powerless and clueless—but Jehoshaphat knew where to turn his gaze and where to place their trust. As they looked to the Lord, the prophetic word came: “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you.” They needed to be positioned in His presence.

  

The Lord Fights for Us

     Another passage that came to mind in connection with the phrase “perish at His presence” was Psalm 91:1. Describing the safety of God’s presence, the psalmist says you and I can be hidden in the secret place, “under the shadow of the Almighty.” That position under His wing is a place of refuge and deliverance from enemies that come against us.

     In that safe place, the Lord not only covers and protects us. He also fights for us. Deuteronomy 33:27 (one of Derek Prince’s favorite proclamations) captures this thought in a remarkable way: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’”

     So, how do you and I deal with opposition that has been unleashed against us? We seek the Lord’s protection and let Him deal with the troubles that are confronting us. As our mandatory first step, we must always be securely positioned in His presence.

 

The Secret Place

    In a message called “Where to Find Security (Part 2),” Derek Prince points out a few important conditions regarding coming into God’s presence. It’s good for us to remember that this “positioning” is not a once-in-a-while matter. It must be a daily discipline.

     

     We need to notice that there are conditions for coming into that total security of which the Psalmist speaks [in Psalm 91]. He begins in verse 1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High.”

     In the King James Version, that word “shelter” is translated “secret place.” I believe that is really an excellent translation, because the root meaning of the Hebrew word used there is “a secret.” So, I’m going to use that phrase: “the secret place.”

     “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” That speaks of a continuing position in God. It is not describing somebody who just runs into the secret place in a time of crisis. Rather, it is someone whose dwelling—whose permanent abiding situation—is in the secret place of the Most High.

 

Coming under His Wing

     Let’s ask ourselves a question right now. Are there aspects of my life where I am out in the open? Where I may be exposing myself to the attacks of the enemy by not staying under God’s promised protection? The Lord may be speaking to you right now about an area that needs to be placed under His protection. Let’s go to Him now with it.

 

     Lord, I’m asking You now to show me areas of my life that may be over-exposed to the enemy’s assault. As an act of repentance, I let go of my independence, and I confess my absolute dependence upon You.

     I don’t want to “go it alone” any longer. I will stop placing any confidence in my flesh. Right now, I bring my entire life before You. I say with Jehoshaphat, “I am powerless against these enemies that are arrayed against me, neither do I know how to handle these situations. Lord, I fix my gaze upon You and You alone for the help, protection, and deliverance I need.”

     Dear Lord, only You can deal with the forces that are attacking me. I cry out to You for covering and for rescue. My eyes are fixed upon You. As a step of reliance upon You, I come into the secret place, under the shadow of Your wing—Your shelter, O Most High. At Your presence, my enemies will perish.

     Thank You for Your protection. Even more, Lord, thank You for fighting the battles I cannot win in my own strength. I now declare that I am positioning myself in Your presence. I will stand still and see the salvation You will bring to me. Thank You, Jesus. I give You all the praise and glory. Amen.

 

A Needed Element

     Frequently, the Lord will bring attention to some missing element in my life—something I should have been doing that I have overlooked. Many times, it comes unexpectedly through an unfamiliar passage I haven’t understood up to that time. Then, there it is—like a blazing light before my eyes.

     I have the feeling that this prayer you and I have just prayed might represent one of those moments. It may well be a life-changing link to the power and protection of His presence. All of us here at DPM want to affirm you and join with you in the step you have just taken. One tangible tool we can provide is the message by Derek Prince from which we took his quote: “Where to Find Security (Part 2).” Just use the download link below for a free MP3.

     We are so grateful to you for your prayers and support. It is an honor to be joined with you in the purposes and plans of the Lord, and we send our deepest thanks.  

 

Finding Shelter

     It may be a new thought for you and me—that some of the problems we have been facing have been caused by over-exposure to the threat of the enemy. We have just taken some initial steps in the process of finding greater coverage and protection in the Lord.

     I would encourage you to let the process continue. As you and I stay open to the Lord, asking Him if there are more areas to bring under His covering, He will be faithful to bring His revelation to us. Then it’s up to us to respond faithfully to the truths He reveals.

     No doubt, we will have more steps to take. But our Lord, who is gracious in every way, will open our eyes—faithfully showing us how to be positioned in His presence.

  

All the best,

 

 

 

Dick Leggatt

P.S. Thanks again for your prayers and contributions to the work of DPM. It is our great privilege to stay in touch with you. As a token of our appreciation for your friendship, please download the free MP3 of Derek’s message, “Where to Find Security (Part 2).”