When The Lord is Your Fortress

Psalm 18:2-3

Message No. 0802 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

Preview

Security gadgets are good and are recommended for protection against intruders and enemies. Unfortunately, they are not enough, because there’s always someone who is watching and working hard to breach earthly security. The only protection that is sure is in the Lord. This week, we encourage readers to put their trusts in the only God who cannot fail them.

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In July of 1982, an intruder by the name of Michael Fagan was reported to have entered Buckingham Palace twice, in some of the surprising physical security breaches of our lifetime. The first time he entered, a housemaid reportedly saw him and called security. By the time the guards arrived, the intruder had disappeared, so the guards disbelieved her report. Meanwhile, the intruder was busy wondering around the palace and eating cheese and crackers, including drinking half bottle of white wine. Amazingly, three alarms were said to have tripped, but the police turned them off, believing they were faulty. The intruder reportedly viewed royal portraits and even sat on a throne for a while. He only left the palace when he became tired. Few days later when he breached the security and entered again, he was able to enter the Queen’s bedroom, at about 7:15 am, startling the monarch. In his own words, the Queen phoned the palace switchboard twice for police, but none arrived. Fagan’s intrusion to such a revered room was possible because the armed police officer who guarded the royal bedroom had gone off duty before his replacement arrived. 

Some real incidents only look plausible in movies, as no one would other wise believe them. Though the palace was not a military base, the security it deserved (in many people’s opinions) was no less than one, as it was the residence of the head of state. The police disbelieved the maid and also disbelieved the alarm system because they never thought it was possible for anyone to breach security in (perhaps) the most famous place in England. But the breach is evidence that it does not matter what measures are put in place, so long as human beings are involved, nothing is 100 percent fool-proof. In Psalm 127 verse 1, the Bible says unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Most organizations spend lots of money on cybersecurity, but we see billions of dollars stolen every year by cyber criminals.

It is recommended to be careful and to put measures in place for one’s safety. However, while playing our own roles, we must know that without God, we only try. The only place of safety is in the Lord Jesus Christ. When David was busy running away from Saul, he was hiding in places where he thought he was safe. In 1 Samuel chapter 23, the locals where David was hiding went to Saul to inform him of his hideout. As Saul marshalled the army in his pursuit, the Bible says that the place where he was hiding was being encircled by the army in a situation that would have become almost impossible for David to escape. When God saw this, He allowed the Philistines to invade the land, and when message came to Saul that their enemies had invaded, he quickly abandoned the pursuit of David and went to fight the Philistines.

Owing to his many escapes from enemies over his lifetime, David knew what God did for him. He wrote many Psalms to show his appreciation of God’s salvation and protection. In chapter 124, he wrote:

Psalm 124:1-8 NKJV

"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," Let Israel now say "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, When men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul." Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

In Jeremiah 17:5, the Bible says cursed is he who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength. The arm of the flesh will fail you, but those who trust in God for protection will continue to be shielded from harm. Have you been trusting in the Lord for your protection? You are in the right place. Keep your reliance on Him because there is no sure security anywhere else. Have you been visiting other gods for your protection? Well, as many people would have noticed, this is a complete wast of time. These gods are manmade objects that are unable to move or talk, and how can they then protect the people who made them? Come to Jesus by confessing your sins and asking for His forgiveness. When the Lord is your fortress, you can sleep with both eyes closed. He builds protection around His children at no cost to them. Only in Christ can you have rest for your soul. Surrender your life to Him without further delays. He is waiting to help you.

What to Do?

There is no sure protection outside of Christ. Come to Him, and He will give you rest.