A Mighty Fortress

Thank you for sharing your testimony, Roy.

I want to follow up on what Roy has said to emphasize that our God is, as we sang earlier, a mighty fortress.

He is a safe place where we can declare, it is well with my soul.

David: Psalm 18:2 (NLT) The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

David Psalm 31:1–3 (LSB) In You, O Yahweh, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness protect me. 2 Incline Your ear to me, deliver me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A fortress to save me. 3 For You are my high rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.

Unknown (maybe Moses) Psalm 91:1–2 (NASB95) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

David: Psalm 144:1–2 (NLT) Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. 2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.

This is just a few scriptures where the word “fortress” used.

Yesterday, 10 men from this church attended the Mountain Men’s Conference here in Blairsville.

During the conference we had worship, preaching, small group discussions and prayer.

The final speaker, preached about how men need men.

He preached from 2 Samuel 23:13-17 where the scripture says that while David was fleeing from Saul he went into a cave at Adullum.

While in that cave he expressed a longing for some water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem.

Three of his mightiest warriors broke through a garrison of Philistines to get David some water from that well.

Which David would not drink — he was so awed by these 3 men’s sacrifice, he felt so unworthy to drink water gotten at such great risk to these men, that he instead poured the water out as an offering of worship to God.

The thing that struck me was how the pastor who was preaching, talked about how David was in a “stronghold.”

The Hebrew word for “stronghold” is the same one used in the verses I just read, but is translated “fortress.”

CBL OT Dictionary:

Hebrew: MAWT-soode

From each of the passages which use various Hebrew words for “stronghold,” the ideas of safety and protection are evident.

Who would understand that safe and secure spot better than David?

God had been so faithful to preserve his life from the pursuit of Saul.

David recognized that God was his ultimate protector, not merely the various “strongholds.”

He referred to the LORD as a Fortress.

This is stock imagery in the Psalms, which contain this marvelous truth; they have been the strength of the godly ever since they were penned.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust” (Ps. 18:2);

“Be Thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For Thou art my rock and my fortress” (31:2f);

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust” (91:2).

As the worship team comes to the platform…

Today, you may have had a tough life like Roy.

Or you may feel like you’re running for your life, like David.

Whatever your situation, I want to encourage you to see God as a mighty fortress to which you can run.

Run to Him!

Hide yourself in His Presence.

Trust your soul to His safety and protection.

You don’t have to make yourself worthy of God’s protection — you can’t.

Instead God extends His safety through grace given because of Jesus.

Jesus paid the price of God being your mighty fortress.

Don’t stand outside looking in.

Instead, come to Jesus this morning.

You feel like you are under assault by the enemy.

Your soul is in jeopardy because of sin.

Your health is under attack because of disease or injury.

Your family is being ravaged by the devil.

Your finances are being or are depleted because they have been stolen by the enemy.

Come to Jesus, just as you are and receive the supply to your need.

Run to the presence of Jesus and hide yourself in His Presence — in His fortress.