Stronghold

                                                                            

The Fortress of Masada built by Herod the Great and used by over 900 Jewish Zealots as the last stronghold against the Roman legions during the Jewish revolt of 66-73 A.D. 

  

What is a "stronghold"?   A fortified place.  A place of security, survival or refuge.  Why would anyone need such a place?  Because since the dawn of time there have been forces at work that seek to destroy us even to this day.   Forces so powerful that even at our strongest moment we cannot withstand their onslaught.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."    -Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Did you see the four major powers allied against us listed in this verse?   But there is an additional enemy...sometimes we wage war against ourselves also.

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of m body, waging war against the law of m mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?           -Romans 7:21-24 (NIV)

As sinners we are on our way to full and complete destruction.  Our lives in this life and the life to come are on a road to destruction.  Destructive forces attack us from many directions.  Isn't it interesting that they attack the very things that make us in the image of God, our body, our mind and our spirit.  Ultimately all evil is an attack on the character of God Himself.   Since these forces cannot attack God directly they rally their evil forces against God indirectly through His best creation of all, us!  The apostle Paul asked the right question, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

"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 (ESV)

To live victoriously and without fear one must rally to God and join His army in order to find protection, strength and peace.  It's a great comfort to know that God wants to hold me strong in His care.   Truly, "The Lord is the stronghold of my life".     Hallelujah!