Old Dog IV
The Secret Place
Bob Neumann
Last night I found myself sitting with two “old” friends. One was talking about Isaac redigging wells Abraham had established. It was a conversation from the early 90’s I barely remember having. Both friends were “younger” than they presently are, but it sets the timing so I went along with the “image”. The second spoke of staying “under the cloud” and dwelling in HIS provision.
As both looked to me for a response, I tried to remember if this conversation really happened as I was “seeing” and “hearing” it in this “dream/ vision”. My only reflection was that what I was now walking through was a “composite” of past experiences. It never really happened in the natural, but now IN THE SPIRIT was unfolding. And I began to talk about the “hiding place” as sung about by David. Then I spoke of THE CLEFT IN THE ROCK where Moses once stood. And then a “song” sort of came to “us”. IN YOUR PRESENCE LORD. THAT’S WHERE I AM STRONG.
Suddenly our conversation stopped and I stood up from the table and started to walk away. As THE SONG continued. I WANT TO HIDE WHERE THE , and I was gone. And standing on that cliff where the rock was that we had sat on in the past. BLAZING FIRE
CANNOT BURN ME.
And once again I “saw” THE COMING STORM on the horizon speeding to the place where I stood. IN YOUR PRESENCE O GOD. And I remembered the song first speaks of the rivers overflow. And I heard HIS VOICE.” YOU CROSSED THE JORDAN LONG AGO DOG.” As I looked behind me I saw THE LAMB walking towards me slowly. We both looked out at the “STORM” as it approached where we stood. But the song continued in my spirit. I WANT TO HIDE WHERE THE FLOOD OF EVIL CANNOT REACH ME. WHERE I AM COVERED BY THE BLOOD.
I looked to HIM and waited. HE STOOD SILENTLY looking outward and I wondered what HE WAS THINKING ABOUT. But the song continued. I WANT TO BE WHERE THE SCHEMES OF DARKNESS CANNOT TOUCH ME. IN YOUR PRESENCE O GOD. “NICE SONG, DOG.”, HE STATED. “To me it is LORD”, I replied. “SO WHERE IS EVERYONE ELSE?”, HE ASKED. I had no answer. “IS IT JUST A CUTE SONG ON A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS EFFORT?”. “I hope not LORD.”, was my only response.
I watched HIM drop HIS HEAD and sigh. “DO THE WORDS HAVE MEANING, OR IS IT JUST A RELIGIOUS EXERCISE?”. “It’s one of those psalms, LORD, that reminds me of who I am and where I want to be.” “WHY?” “Because you keep showing me that”, and I pointed at THE STORM, “and the only way through any of it is YOU. YOU, LORD. are my hiding place.”
At that HE TURNED HIS HEAD towards me and looked me straight in the eye. As HE stared at me I felt an “unease” in my spirit-man. The same feeling I have had for a couple of weeks now. I did not know why I “felt” this way. I just did. And HIS SILENCE did not help.
“WOULD IT HELP YOU OLD FRIEND IF I JUST TOLD YOU THAT YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE?”, HE STATED WITH A SMALL SMILE FORMING ON HIS
FACE. “YOU FOUND MY SECRET PLACE QUITE A WHILE AGO. YOU JUST KEPT EXPECTING OTHERS TO JOIN US. IN ITSELF IT IS WHAT HAS KEPT YOU TRYING SO HARD TO BRING IN MY FLOCK. ONLY THERE IS NO FLOCK”.
I guess my jaw dropped about a foot and I got another itch.
“AT LEAST, NOT YET, OLD DOG”, HE LAUGHED AND HUGGED MY NECK. “RIGHT NOW THEY ARE SCATTERED AND AWAITING THE SET TIME. WHEN I BEGIN TO GATHER THEM INTO GOSHEN, THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN HAVE SOME FUN.” and I remembered. And I thought once again of three dragons at a table playing little games. “YO, DOG. SO LET THEM PLAY THE FOOL. EVERYTHING THEY SCHEME AND PLAN FALLS PERFECTLY INTO MY STRATEGY.”
Now that one I have to think about. And will do so. What came next is interesting. “SOME SEE THE STORM WHILE OTHERS SEE THE DARKNESS. FEW SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH BOTH. THE TRUMPETS WERE BLOWN, BUT FEW NOTICED. FEW INDEED CAN EVEN CONCEIVE WHAT I CAN DO WHEN I SO CHOOSE. WHICH IS A PITY.”
Once again HE TURNED TOWARD THE COMING STORM. “WOULD YOU TELL THEM SOMETHING FOR ME, DOG?”, HE ASKED as everything went quiet. And this “quiet” I could feel in my bones. THE STORM was frozen in place as TIME and REALITY once again paused in obedience. All I could do was say.” Yes LORD”. “JUST TELL THEM THAT IF I CHOOSE TO SHAKE THE EARTH, NO ONE WILL DOUBT IT. NO ONE WILL HAVE TO ASK FOR ANYONE’S OPINIONS. LIKEWISE, WHEN I THUNDER ALL WILL FEEL IT. WHEN I ROAR, ALL WILL NOTICE.”
Once again HE LOOKED AT ME. “GOT IT DOG?”. All I did was bow my head and again HE SMILED and turned back to watch the STORM as “THE QUIET” ended.
When I awoke I thought of a few scripture verses. THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT was churning.
Don’t look at Psalm 91.
It is not where we need to look.
Try Psalm 81.
Isaiah 45.
Jeremiah 23.
Ezekiel 7-8-9
Selah HIS dog