2009 - OUR FORTRESS

No matter what this year brings, whether it be fortune or poverty;
health or illness, war or a time of peace, as children of the Most High God we must remain confident and know that He is our fortress; He is our hiding place!



Scripture repeatedly reminds us that no matter the circumstance, the name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10) Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. We will say to the LORD "You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:1,2) We are not to just visit His shelter, we are to DWELL in the shelter!



Whether 2009 brings good tiding or ill, we can cry out like Jeremiah, " O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of distress...." (Jeremiah 16:19).


Most "experts" in both financial and military fields speak of 2009 as being possibly like nothing we have ever experienced in the United States of America. I believe this is true. But, as Believers we know the ways of our God are blameless; the word of the LORD has been tested and is sure and He refines those that are His; sometimes we are tested in a furnace of affliction, refined as silver is refined. (Isaiah 48:10)


If He sees the necessity to send us into the furnace of affliction for a season, we know that He is still, and always will be, our rock and our fortress and our deliverer, our God and the Rock in whom we can take refuge. (2 Samuel 22:3) We can take great comfort in these words of King David; he was tested time and again in ways we cannot imagine. When David faltered and failed, he ran into the presence of the LORD and repented immediately. He knew his place of refuge, forgiveness and strength, as do we.



Like King David, we must acknowledge that God is our loving kindness and our fortress, our stronghold and our deliverer, our shield in whom we can take refuge. (Psalm 144:2) As we hide in Him, He will lead us and guide us in all of our affairs. (Psalm 31:3) It is in His presence that we are refreshed, protected, receive strength for the journey and commune with the One we love and live for.



No matter our situation or location, we can also cry, as did King David, "From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a Refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy." (Psalm 61:2,3) Take comfort that OUR strength is NOT sufficient; but His is more than sufficient to meet any crisis or need. Lean heavily upon Him in times of distress and need. Thank Him for the opportunities He gives to show us His might, His care, His protection and provision.


2009 may be the year that He will say to us, "Therefore I am going to make them know - This time, I will make them know (repeated twice in scripture!) MY Power and MY Might; and they shall know that My name is the LORD." (Jeremiah 16:21)



Exciting days lie just ahead. Remain confident in Him. His ways and His words are sure. Immerse yourself in the Psalms, songs, and prayers of David and the sons of Korah. Worship Him with the old hymns of the faith. Praise Him with Messianic songs that are arising out of Israel and Messianic Congregations here in the United States.


Know one thing for sure - OUR GOD REIGNS! He knows the beginning and the end; He is the Almighty God (El Elyon) who has called us out from among the nations to be His special, peculiar treasure on the troubled planet. He has engraved us on the palm of His hand. We must let Him have His way with us. As we do, we can boldly enter into His presence with thanksgiving and praise for who He was, who He is, and for who He will be to us and through us for all of eternity!