Saturday, February 19, 2011

God is my Refuge and my Fortress


I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

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Having grown up in church and raised by a praying mother, I must have memorized this psalm when I was 2 or 3 years old. Perhaps, it was the way my mother joy seemed to be restored each every time she reads or perhaps the Holy Spirit was preparing me for my own destiny but the above scripture has always been special to me. Although I prayed these words numerous times over the years, it would take me many years to get a grasp on what it means to say the Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. As look back at the experiences of my life and those I love to include sickness, lack, disease, pain, disappointments, heartbreaks, rejection and loneliness, there is no reason why I should still be standing other than the grace of God. God just would not give up on me. He simply refused to let me give up on myself.

As I take a look at the past year alone, I can’t help comparing where I was last year to where I am now, I can indeed say the author of psalm 144: 2 knows a thing or two about God. He is indeed my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. Even when my stubbornness got me in many troubles, God always revealed himself to be faithful and I know now that He will continue to show his faithfulness in my life. Having God as fortress means that I don’t have to keep running around looking for help in all the wrong places anymore. I wish there was a way to capture with a camera the majesty and the astronomical work that God has done in my life, but believe it when I tell you that our heavenly Father cares deeply, watches over us actively, takes care of us faithfully, and love us unconditionally. When cornered with nowhere to turn, come boldly to the throne of grace, let him be your fortress, your rock, and your refuge and you will be blessed.

Praise the Lord!