Strongholds

Visit Corregidor in the Philippines, and you will find a deep tunnel. Originally built to store arms and ammunition, Malinta Tunnel was also a stronghold that bombs of the enemy couldn’t penetrate. It served as a haven for wounded soldiers and as headquarters for General MacArthur.

Strongholds are important because they provide protection. They allow you to sleep at night without fear for your safety.

When David was a  fugitive from Saul, he hid in strongholds in the desert. He learned that safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of the Lord.

Repeatedly he referred to the Lord as his fortress. In Psalm 18 he wrote, “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 18:1-2).

You will never understand that God is a refuge until you run to Him and throw yourself upon His mercy, until you pound on His door and say, “Take me in. I need Your protection and help!” Yet far too many stand outside the door thinking, “I can handle this on my own.” If someone were chasing you with a weapon, and he was getting closer, would you stand outside the fortress and wonder if it was strong enough to protect you?

You may be thinking, “Having God as a fortress worked for David, but I’m not sure it’ll work for me!” How would you know unless you try? I’ve never heard anyone say, “I threw myself upon the Lord and He closed the door of help in my face.”

Need a refuge? Most earthly strongholds have massive doors and can be entered by walking. The refuge God provides is entered by kneeling.