STRONGHOLD

We live in a world filled with chaos and turmoil. If you’re like me, your own personal life may be jam-packed with struggles and troubles. During these times it’s easy to open ourselves to one of the major instruments in the enemy’s toolbox. Fear!

Several years ago I found myself in a persistent, debilitating state of fear. The doctor had warned us that my dad would probably not live more than six months due to this damaged heart. Instead of basking in the joy of having him a while longer, I lived in constant dread. Every time the phone rang, I answered with trepidation in my heart. Dad lived another eleven months; however, fear robbed me of months of enjoyment I should have experienced during his final days.

In 1 John 4:18, John writes to the church, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” I began to pray for God’s perfect love to drive the fear from my heart, and He did. Had I clung to God as my stronghold in the beginning instead of allowing the enemy to grip my heart with fear, I would have saved myself a ton of anguish.

How about you? Maybe fear is not your issue. Perhaps you struggle with addiction or jealousy or anger or greed. Maybe pride has taken up residence in your heart. Whatever the temptation, we can be assured of one thing. If we do not allow God to be our stronghold, the enemy will seek to make sin a strong hold in our lives.

Grace Fox writes …

“Strongholds are rooted in faulty thinking and lies; God’s truth tears them down.”

Read her entire blog about strongholds by clicking this link:

www.gracefox.com/2018/05/11/who-or-what-is-your-stronghold

This week, let’s seek to rip the hold of sin from our lives by praising God as our STRONGHOLD!

Sunday Supplication

Father God, as I praise you this week as my Stronghold, fortify my heart against the enemy. When he tempts me to allow sin to take a strong hold on my life, draw me close to you. Be the Stronghold that binds me to You and You alone. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

Tuesday Treasure

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 37:39-40

Wednesday Wisdom

The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Joel 3:16

Thursday Truth

He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Psalm 144:2

Friday Fact

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:9-10

Saturday Song