Jesus Strong

“Boston Strong” continues to reverberate with trials ongoing. It is good to gather strength through shared experience. Moreover, the strongest shared experience just took place, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. This is the seminal apex of human history, the only event that has eternal consequences.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

I have written on Psalm 27 twice before; however, it bears reemphasis in a world that tries to find its strength in tangible earthly goods and people. We need to plant our feet on solid ground, the firm and fertile soil of the Gospel and God’s Word. It is the only thing that will not pass away. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mark 13:31).

The Psalmist David tells those suffering or oppressed, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9). Psalm 32 would call the Lord our “hiding place” and protection.  Yes, indeed this is true, and He is our stronghold.  He does not let us go, unless we let Him go. David’s Song of Praise in times of trouble tells us, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior" (2 Samuel 22:1-3).  Psalm 18 repeats this mantra and Psalm 144 says, “He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer…” (Psalm 144:2). 

Do you have strongholds in your life, security in something? Or do you have strongholds in your life that need to be torn down? These strongholds could be trust in money, securities, job, title, or self-anything.  These are temporary and may have an evil one building them up in your mind. Are your strongholds, fear, shame, guilt, alcohol, drugs or sex?  Our battle is with spiritual things in high places. That should be scary, but not when we count on where our strength should come from. “The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).  Our weapons are spiritual through the power of the Holy Spirit. Human pride and arrogance are what get in the way of our claiming these weapons and the power and strength they provide.  Where do you run in times of trouble?  I suggest we run to the Lord through prayer and His Word.