Through the medium television, the internet, etc., we have of late witnessed acts of those who, under the control of Satan, have killed and/or maimed numerous people in schools, colleges, shopping areas, etc. As a result of these actions, the expression–“Hide in place”–has come into use as a rule of survival. To hide in place is to stay where one is while appearing not to be there. We all understand the concept on the social level. However, there is a lesser understood and even lesser practiced rule in the spiritual realm that I call “Spiritual Segregation.” Though not important on the physical level as is Hiding In Place, Spiritual Segregation is sometimes necessary on the spiritual level. Observance of God’s Sabbath (Saturday–the 7th day of the week) can be one of those times.

When one is the only Christian in the room, which is normally the case, God’s saint sometimes finds himself in a situation not of his choosing. For example, we sometimes find ourselves surrounded by the world and involved in a social situation through no fault of our own. For example, the family plans a party on God’s Sabbath. Being a spiritual outcast, the saint’s Sabbath is not considered in the planning of the  proceedings. While the other members of the group–churchites all–make plans to be in church the first day of the week, the 7th day is fair game for playing, working, etc. God warns about desecrating His Sabbath in Isaiah 58:13,14. In this passage He commands that His people not do what we ordinarily would do–working to make a profit, playing, doing yard work, etc. We are to call the Sabbath a delight and a holy day dedicated to Him in honor of Him. We are not to do what we want, nor are we to speak what we want, but are commanded to dedicate the day (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) entirely to Him. Though staying in good social stead with the family while serving God on His Sabbath can be a challenge, it can be done through Spiritual Segregation–the spiritual version of hiding in place.

The key is to immerse oneself in God’s Word on a continuous basis while going about one’s daily life. In the past I have memorized Scriptures while doing other things that did not require total mental concentration, which covers most things we do. Being in the midst of a party situation or other group activities on the Lord’s Sabbath does not have to be a Sabbath desecration situation. We can hide in place by segregating ourselves spiritually–being alone with God while surrounded by other people. Having failed at this in the past and having heard God’s correcting “voice” in my spirit, I can assure you that He expects us to “come away” with Him regardless of the physical/social situation in which we might be involved. In the social realm it is called “day dreaming.” In the spiritual realm it is called “obeying the Lord.”

The ability to practice Spiritual Segregation is one of the reasons God refers to His true saints as being different from all others. In the Scriptures He calls His children “peculiar, “a royal priesthood” and a “holy nation” (Exo. 19:5/Ps. 135:4/ Titus 2:14/1 Pet. 2:9). GOD’S PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER PEOPLE ON EARTH.

One of the ways we exhibit this difference is to step aside and be with Him while in the mist of chaos, revelry, etc. We must do this on His Sabbaths when the situation calls for it. We must spiritually “come aside” in order to be alone with Him wherever we are and whatever we are doing. The Apostle Paul sets the perfect example by praying “without ceasing.” One can imagine the different situations in which he found himself, some of them deadly. He was so self-disciplined that he could spiritually leave and go aside unto the Lord though Satan was in control of his surroundings. Jesus, our ultimate Example, obviously stayed in direct contact with the Father during His final hours, speaking audibly to Him on two occasions as death approached. Can we do anything less? We cannot always dictate the circumstance, but we can determine what we will do while in the circumstance. L.J.