A stronghold in time of trouble…
Psalm 37:39-40
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him. (WEB)
When I think of a stronghold, I think of a massive fortress with huge walls surrounded by a mote. Nothing can penetrate it and once you are inside and it is a place where you feel completely safe and secure. In today’s Bible reading, our God is declared to be our stronghold in the time of trouble.
Jesus told us that in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). So unfortunately, whether we like it or not, at one time or another, we all will experience trials and tribulations. But in the last part of John 16:33, Jesus tells us that we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world!
So no matter what we go through, God promises to rescue us when we need His help and He offers us a 24/7 refuge in His big strong arms. If you want to read a great passage about His loving protection over us, just read Psalm 91 which starts…He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Though we have a safe place to run to when we get into trouble, are we always aware of it? If we are not yet convinced that our God and Father can protect us better than we can protect ourselves, our first line of defence might be self protection. I actually think that when we try to protect ourselves, our ‘strength’ actually gets in the way of God’s desire to be our fortress. That is why the Apostle Paul declared… “When I am weak, then I am strong”.
My prayer today is that we would all know that we do not have to protect ourselves because we have a Dad who has promised to rescue us, save us, protect us and strengthen us when we need it. May this come as really good news to everyone who reads this blog today. Our God is indeed our stronghold in the time of trouble!
Psalm 91:1-10
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; 6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. (WEB)
