FORTRESS (Psalm 18:2)

Once upon a time in the long lost world of kings and kingdoms, there lived a man and his family in a vacated castle on a hill between a bountiful meadow and a large, beautiful forest.

This man cared deeply for his family and provided for them well. They had vegetables from the fields, honey from some hives, eggs from their chickens, milk from their goats and meat from the animals nearby.  

Every day, the man would pray for God to protect them. 

One morning while tending the field the man realized the sky was getting dark. Looking to the west he saw lightning and a curtain of rain headed toward his home. Quickly he gathered his animals and family into the castle grounds. The trees of the forest began to bend in the wind. The rain began to beat against the rock fortress. Darkness enveloped the man’s home. 

Soon the grey lifted and sunlight shone through cracks in the heavy wooden shutters and doors. It was over. They were safe. 

That afternoon as the man tended the animals he heard a rumble in the distance. Looking to the east he saw the telltale signs of a thundering herd of wild horses headed toward his home. Quickly he gathered his animals and family into the castle grounds. The earth began to quake and the animals began to shake. The choking dust from the horses’ hooves enveloped the man’s home. 

Soon the dust settled and sunlight shone through cracks in the heavy wooden shutters and doors. It was over. They were safe. 

That night after everyone had settled into bed, the man went out onto the balcony to gaze at the majesty of the stars. Looking to the south he noticed lights in the darkness coming toward his home. Bandits. Quickly he secured the animals and fortified his home. Relentlessly the band of men attacked the man’s home with weapons with axes and with fire. But a point of entry the could not find. Then silence enveloped the man’s home. 

Soon the morning broke and sunlight shone through cracks in the heavy wooden shutters and doors. It was over. They were safe.

The next morning as the man prayed for God to protect him and his family, his young son overheard his father say these words:

I love you, LORD.

You are my ROCK.

You are my FORTRESS.

You are my DELIVERER.

You are my REFUGE.

You are my SHIELD, my POWER and my STRONGHOLD. 

LORD, We recognize that You are our Rock. On you we depend and not on ourselves. Thank you for your protection and deliverance and love.