A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing
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. (Ps. 18:2)
God has delivered David from Saul’s army. Reflecting on the Lord’s victory, David writes this song of praise. In just one verse he attributes to the Lord Jehovah, ‘the existing One’, 7 qualities referring to His strength and ability to triumph over the enemy when he takes refuge in Him: 1) The Lord is a Rock, symbol of God in the Old Testament; Jesus, the Rock of Salvation in the New. A rock both crushes and endures. 2) He is a fortress, a safe place high upon a hill, large and permanent, guarding and fortifying those within its walls. 3) God, the strong One, protects, delivers, rescues, and preserves. Jesus, Lamb of God, Deliverer and Savior of mankind. 4) Yahweh is David’s strength, able to bear the burden, carry the pain, conquer the enemy; He is strength of spirit, mind, and body; enduring without breaking, resisting without wavering. 5) The Lord is David’s shield, covering, protecting, defending both life and heart in the battle. 6) The Lord is David’s horn of salvation, a picture of the chief means of attack and defense for animals. God is a safe place for David, the source of his strength, defense, honor, and dominion. 7) Yahweh is David’s stronghold, his refuge, retreat, security, and high tower.
David was a man of prayer. David was a man of faith. David was a man after God’s own heart. When we pray, when we trust, when we seek the heart of God, we triumph over our enemy. God is a mighty fortress, a place of defense, a place of safety, a place of refuge. He is our shield, our protector, our rock. If we are to survive in this world of never-ending unrest, we would do well to remain behind the defensive walls of God, our fortress and shield. In Him we find safety and protection.
The Bible clearly states what is required if you are to know Him as your fortress and shield. He is there, waiting for you. If your relationship with Him is built on prayer, faith, and love, you will do what He says without hesitation. If you hesitate, it is because you trust and believe in someone else more than you do Him. That someone else is you. Take a minute to consider the battle you are likely to encounter this day. Won’t you set your mind to trust, to love, to yield to His rule in your heart so that you could know Him, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”