By Dusty (Reflections on the Life of a Christian)
Photo by Colin Brough. Used by permission.
Throughout scripture, God is described as a fortress and a provider of security and salvation. One of my favorite go to passages in times of trouble references this aspect of who God is:
"Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge." (Proverbs 14:26 NIV, ©2010)
God loves and protects those who are His children. The word 'fears' above actually means to have a sense of wonder and awe that leads us to follow Him. When we follow God, we are taken into His care, and He will be our shelter and protection from the troubles of this world. That does not mean we will not receive scrapes and bruises. Nor does it mean we will never be harmed. It does mean that even during the worst battles of our life, we are granted security in God. When everything seems to be falling a part and despair tries to overwhelm us, we are able to experience joy and hope because we know we rest secure in the arms of God.
"...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4b-5 NIV, ©2011)
We can be secure in the knowledge of His final victory.
We can be secure in His unchanging nature.
We can be secure in His goodness.
We can be secure in His love.
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all... Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:31b-32a, 33-34a, 35-37 NIV, ©2011)
What better protection is there than being able to stand confident knowing that we are more than conquerors through God?
Throughout David's life, he experienced troubles, struggles, and near defeats. Throughout his life, when he aligned Himself with God's purpose and will, God stepped in and delivered victories to him. God did not always make the troubles or consequences go away, but He did move in David's life to provide shelter, joy, and peace. Here are a few ways in which David tells of God as His protector:
"I love you, LORD, my strength. 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, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:1-3 NIV, ©2011)
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NIV, ©2011)
"Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." (Psalm 28:6-7 NIV, ©2011)
The references go on and on... but take notice of what David is saying:
I love you Lord. I walk with you Lord. I trust you Lord. I praise you Lord.
As David joins in a personal and committed relationship with God, God envelops him with strength, security, and salvation. In spite of all of the hardships that David experienced in life, he was able to experience a joy and peace that surpasses our human understanding, and it was all a result of knowing God as protector.
Will you stand in awe and loving adoration of God, trusting Him to lead you through this life? If you will, you will know God as your secure fortress. God is our Protector.
Dusty Rayburn is a lay minister and fellow blogger. He lives in Locust Fork, Alabama, has been married six years and has one amazing daughter. In his words: "I am a Christian. I am not perfect, nor do I imagine I ever will be. My God is perfect. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am His." You can find him on Twitter and at Reflections on the Life of a Christian.