APRIL 10

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

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Isaiah 54:17

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,   and every tongue which rises against you in judgment   you shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,  and their righteousness is from Me,”  says the Lord.”

Proverbs 18:10

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;  The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Psalm 18:2

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Isaiah 33:15-16

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,  he who despises the gain of oppressions,

Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,  who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil:

He will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;

Bread will be given him,  his water will be sure.”

Psalm 144:2

“My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.”

Psalm 71:3

“Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.”

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Our book for this month  is called “100 NAMES OF GOD”  written by Christopher D. Hudson.  Each day we’ll take one Hebrew name for God as given in the Bible to study and relate to.

METZUDAH

FORTRESS

2 Samuel 22;2

“ He said, ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.’”

The Hebrew word for FORTRESS refers to an impregnable stronghold, usually high up on a mountain.  David, of all people, was familiar with such places.  As a shepherd boy, he often had to seek out safe refuges for his flock.  Later, as a young man, he fought in the Israelite army and also spent years fleeing from Saul.

Whether protecting his sheep, facing an enemy in battle, or trying to elude a paranoid, murderous king, David knew the importance of finding and hunkering down in elevated bastions and rocky citadels.  However, he also knew that even the best earthly fortresses aren’t 100 percent secure.  (Once while hiding from Saul in the recesses of a remote wilderness cave, David was caught completely off guard when Saul suddenly entered the same cave to relieve himself.)

Ultimately, David had to get to the place where he trusted God to be his ultimate protection.  Because God is higher than any tower and more invincible than any rock stronghold, He is where we will find true safety and security.  Even when David was outnumbered and outgunned, he believed that as long as God was for him, no man could harm him.  “In God I trust and a not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  (Psalm 56:4). 

What are the specific things that threaten you now?  What problems make you want to run away? Instead of seeking refuge in things of this world that don’t offer lasting protection…such as your job or money or relationships, food or amusement …run to God, your FORTRESS, and hide in Him. 

Having to hole up in a fortress isn’t always comfortable.  In fact, it’s confining.  But it’s also temporary.  Why?  Because, as David exclaims, God is not only a fortress.  He’s also a deliverer!

When people, events, or circumstances are coming against you, God is the FORTRESS who will shield you from the harshest assaults.

How in your life, specifically, have you experienced God as a fortress?

PRAYER

God, my FORTRESS, I know that when I am protected by You, no weapon used against me can be successful.  I entrust myself to You and to Your protection.  Amen

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