Tag: Strong Tower

Mighty…

Mighty…

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage….” ~ Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Mighty! It means possessing great or overwhelming power and strength. The Lord revealed Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai – God Almighty. (Genesis 17:1) Yes, He is the all-powerful One who reigns over all creation! And it is this attribute of our God that comes into focus as He draws unto Himself a people for His treasured possession and inheritance….

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, God manifested His power to bring salvation for His people. Indeed, “When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.” (Exodus 14:31) As Moses attested: “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? (Deuteronomy 3:24)

King David, a man who sought the heart of God, would exclaim: “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8) And, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.” (Psalm 62:7) Indeed, “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” (Psalm 89:8) Isaiah resounded: “I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 60:16) Jeremiah reflected, “No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. (Jeremiah 10:6)

One of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17 – which reads: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Oh, how I pray all people would see that our God is mighty to save! (Isaiah 63:1) Indeed, Jesus is not only mighty to redeem us, but He is mighty to preserve His people in sanctification and holiness. As Paul expressed it: “He who began a good work in you will carry it one to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…. (Ephesians 1:18-20) Oh, my friends, let us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Refuge…

Refuge…

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. (Psalm 18:1-2)

I have been under the weather with influenza this week; and a dear friend and prayer warrior shared a prayer that reminded me: “God is my refuge.” It was a timely word … a needed word … to encourage me as I walk through this valley. As I deal with the symptoms and malaise of this virus, I have found that my time of isolation has proven fruitful. I have taken time to meditate on what it means to have God as my refuge and my strength.  For indeed, He is a shield … a protective cover … for all who make their refuge in Him. (Psalm 18:30)

If you or someone you know are being oppressed by a spirit of infirmity, I encourage you to read these verses below and let them settle on your heart:

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. ~ Psalm 31:3-5

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. ~ Psalm 36:7-9

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. ~ Psalm 57:1


But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. ~ Psalm 59:16

My salvation and my honor depend on God Most-High; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. ~ Psalm 62:7-8

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most-High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ~ Psalm 91:1-2

My friends, let us take all of our infirmities in prayer before the Lord and His throne of grace.  Let us find our refuge in Him … our ever-present help in times of trouble. In the shadow of His wings, we will find mercy and strength for the day. Indeed, His love is unfailing, and He is the fountain of life for all who drink.

Have a Blessed Day!

He Watches Over You…

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

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.

I have always loved this Psalm and the message it projects through vivid metaphors. It is a short Psalm, so I want to reprint it for us here:

Psalm 121:1-8 (NKJV)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber;
4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life;
8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The imagery produced here affords us with great truths regarding the care and concern God has for His people … the pinnacle of creation.  The hills or mountains represent the majesty and strength of God because they are visual reminders of His power.  But then notice how the psalmist moves his focus to personal engagement. The help God provides us is personal and ongoing.  The Father does not let you out of His sight. He will watch over your life. The Lord is your constant companion … your covering … your refuge. The Lord will keep you from all harm as He watches over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I don’t know about you, but I need to embrace this assurance each and every day. I need to keep this knowledge at the forefront – that God is with me and watching over me and that He never ceases to protect me. So I encourage each of us to speak and to declare the faithfulness of God during our times of personal prayer. Thank the Lord for His ever-present help in times of trouble. Acknowledge that He keeps you close … as the apple of His eye. (Cf. Psalm 17:8) Yes, the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most-High God shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Cf. Psalm 91:1) So, I pray that you and I will take comfort in His provision and take rest in His presence. Remember, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Cf. Proverbs 18:10)

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Quoting Deuteronomy 31:6) So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Quoting Psalm 118:6-7)

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!