Jesus your stronghold
Dear friend, today we are going to be blessed through the words of Psalm 9:9. The Bible says, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” In the next verse, it beautifully affirms, “Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” Indeed, those who trust in the Lord reap His blessings and rewards. For God to truly become a stronghold in our lives, we must know His character. The more we understand who He is, the deeper our trust in Him will grow.
We live in a world full of troubles, and often, it is through these trials that we are driven closer to God. It is in these moments of difficulty that we come to know Him more intimately. Let us look at the life of David, for instance. Even when King Saul was relentlessly pursuing him to take his life, David clung to God. The Bible recounts in I Samuel 23:14, “David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the desert of Ziph. Day after day, Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” As David trusted in God, the Lord became his refuge and defence, shielding him from harm.
In the same way, the Lord will be your refuge and stronghold. But those who are ignorant of God’s character may struggle with doubts. In John 11, when Jesus went to resurrect Lazarus, His beloved friend, Thomas, one of His disciples, doubted Him. Despite Jesus saying, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up,” Thomas, filled with fear and uncertainty, remarked, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Thomas’ fear of the chief priests and elders, combined with his lack of understanding of Jesus’ power, made him doubt. But contrast this with Martha and Mary, who wholeheartedly trusted Jesus. Even in their grief over their brother’s death, they said, “Jesus, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, God will give You whatever You ask.” Jesus reassured them, saying, “Your brother will rise again.” He then went to the tomb and, with a loud voice, said with authority, “Lazarus, come out!” What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. The dead man came back to life! Truly, Jesus was a refuge and stronghold for Martha and Mary in their time of need.
Men may look at our outward appearance, but the Lord looks into our hearts to see whether we truly believe in Him. Today, will you give your heart to God and say, “Lord Jesus, help me out”? May the Lord be your stronghold and refuge now and always.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and stronghold in times of trouble. I come to You today, seeking Your strength and protection. Help me to know You more deeply, so I can trust You completely. Lord, look into my heart and cleanse it of all doubt and fear. Just as You shielded David from harm, I pray that You will be my defence. Teach me to cling to You even when life is full of challenges. Let Your presence bring peace and joy to my troubled heart. Let me always seek You, knowing You will never forsake me. Please fill me with faith, and guide me to live a life that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.