September 16, 2020
Have you ever felt like you were not safe? Have you felt like everything and everyone was closing in on you? Did you feel like you needed a place of safety? What did you do about it? I know that when I was little and I felt unsafe I looked to my dad for protection. Now that I am older and my dad is no longer alive, I need someone else for my protection. I found a new protector who was far better than my earthly dad.
Sometimes we do not think that we need a fortress after all we are not at war. Well actually we are we are fighting a war everyday against the rulers, the authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness and spiritual forces of evil. Do not believe me? Then how about the Apostle Paul “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV) later in this passage Paul talks about equipping ourselves for the battle. But talk to any soldier who has been in battle and they will tell you there is a need for rest. Soldiers get there rest in a fortress. Maybe we should find our fortress of rest as King David proclaims in Psalms 144:1-2,
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.” (ESV)
King David looked to the Lord for his shelter. God was David’s fortress and his place of protection his stronghold. King David felt safe in the arms of the Lord. He felt protected from his enemies. Do you need this kind of protection? I know I do. David again says,
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2 (ESV)
Here he talks about having a relationship with God as a prerequisite to be in God’s refuge and fortress. Do you have the kind of relationship that King David had with God? If not find out how.
Finally, I need a fortress in times of trouble. How about you? The prophet Nahum gives us hope for those times of trouble. He points us to God where we can take refuge in Him. Rather than trying to deal with our troubles on our own seek the protection of God and have hope that He will protect us in those times because He is good and our refuge (fortress).
“The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google
