"An Exemplified Fort"

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I  call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies" (Ps 18:1–3).

 Where do you run in the midst of life’s trials?  How do you respond when your enemies seem to out number your friends? Psalm 18 is a poem written by David in response to the attacks he suffered by King Saul in 2 Samuel 22. David through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives his readers a clear reminder to flee to the Lord in the midst of their attacks by the enemy.

Spiritual warfare is a constant reality for the one who desires to walk in communion with God. Jesus faced spiritual warfare in Matthew 4 as he began His earthly ministry, so it should not surprise the Christian when attacked by Satan. However, there is good news! As believers we have a place to flee, a city of refuge, an exemplified fort and His name is The Lord God, Jesus Christ.

Notice a few things about David’s and our exemplified fort:

1. He is our “strength.” When spiritual attacks come upon us we should draw our strength from the Lord. Matter of fact, even when we are not experiencing spiritual attacks we should draw our strength from the Lord, for that is the only true source of strength. Where does our strength in the Lord comes from? We find strength in His Word, prayer, worshipping with other brothers and sisters in Christ, serving others, sharing the gospel of Jesus.
2. He is our “rock.” When a tornado comes where do you want to be? You want to be in a solid, safe, and secure place usually, underground that can sustain the force of high winds. When the force of Satan’s spiritual attacks come we have an unmovable, safe, and secure shelter. Christ is our “rock” (1 Cor.10:4). Christian you can find safety in Him! 
3. He is our “fortress.” During David’s days forts were constructed along trade routes and borders in order to keep cities safe and to keep the enemies attacks at a minimum. The Lord is our fort! In Christ, we are able to withstand the attacks of the evil one. Paul reminds us to “put on the whole armor of God” in Ephesians 6:11-13. When the enemy attacks run to the fort. Seek shelter, safety, and security in the fort of Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 6.
4. He is our "deliverer.” Jesus reminds his disciples to pray, “deliver us from the evil one” in the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord is the One who delivers us from the the spiritual attacks. Its not that we just persevere and try to make it through them, but God in His mercy and grace delivers us through them. He proves Himself faithful to us through it all.

 "You may pray for deliverance from a trial, but God may give you endurance to go through it.” Dr. Steve Lawson

    Spiritual warfare is a constant reality in the life of the believer. These attacks by the enemy are real and they hurt. Sometimes we may feel we cannot take it any longer. But, be of good cheer, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (1 Cor.4:17-18).

     This is when we must turn to God by faith trusting that He is our strength, our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. By the way, God has already eternally delivered in Christ Jesus by sending His Son taking on flesh, living a perfect life,  dying on the cross, and rising again the third day, and now make intercession for all of those who have genuinely trusted and is trusting in Him for their eternal salvation. Praise the Lord. This is the reason why we are able to embrace the attacks from the enemy.

I pray as we come against the attacks of the evil one that we find ourself finding our strength, our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer in our exemplified fort, Jesus Christ.