One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and enquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4

This for many of us, is our heart’s cry. This for many lies at the core of the seeker soul. The perpetual, perpetually gratifying quest.

But if it wasn’t sufficiently satisfying to be one called to that quest, to experience that longing birthed in our heart & soul (after-all, let’s face it, just as many perhaps have known the opposite reality – what it is NOT to have dwelling in The Most High as our supreme, ultimate desire. or to have some half-hearted longing in which there in no true peace), the very next verse is packed with benefit.

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in in His pavilion.– Verse 5.

Wow! What??? In other words, for having already gained entry into hospitable, divine shelter; having been positioned closely enough to study Him (The scripture references “gazing” upon His beauty (not passing, fleeting, distracted, or casual glancing),  such that we come to know and understand Him – He will then “hide me in His pavilion.” In the secret place of his tabernacle shall he hide me.”

So here’s the thing: we don’t need to hide. We don’t need to be the ones doing the hiding. We don’t need to find a hiding place within the dwelling place  – the most stealth cubby hole (Remember the mad rush to find the perfect secret hiding place when we played Hide n Seek as kids?). The Scripture says He will hide me. Wow, it’s funny how it’s the reverse. In the children’s game: there’s the kid – the antagonist who pursues us to catch us, to get us, and then exclaim the dreaded “tag – you’re it!” So we scramble, we think fast, and move fast: we only have until the count of 10 for find the perfect hiding place …

In this scenario we’re in pursuit of The King where he abides in His dwelling place – vast enough and structured to contain the perfect secret hiding place just for us – and moreover, He’s actually the one doing the hiding: He hides us. Cool!

Then there’s this, “He will set me high up upon a rock. “ I’ve always luvved, luvved, luvved this truth for a couple reasons:

1) Why the redundancy?  – up upon a rock. Isn’t being upon the rock – out of the path of danger enough?

No, The Most High positions us, He sets us, stabilizes us, establishes us – upward . He elevates us … where we might set our minds on things above.

2) How can you be hidden when you’re upright upon a rock – aren’t you visible for all to see? Well we’ve not only been elevated, but shifted – from glory to glory. We cannot be easily detected by slimy serpents or fiery darts for example. We’ve transcended peril, and may survey all below having come up higher.

3) Also did you happen to notice the tri-fold fortified structure: The dwelling place; The pavillion within the dwelling place; and hiding place within the pavillion – Awesome!

Image: The Pavillion
Artist: Eduard Hau