THE LORD IS MY STRONGHOLD

In ancient times, there were fortified places called “strongholds” or “strengths” that were shelters against a military threat. This may have been an outpost on certain parts of a long border road, or a part of castle people could take refuge in times of trouble. When evil men advanced against the Psalmist, he knew the only true refuge was in the LORD.

“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

Even if my father and mother forsake me, the LORD receives me. I can hide in the safety of the LORD, my stronghold from anything that advances against me. I hide in the shelter of his dwelling place. When the path becomes dark and uncertain, the light of Jesus guides me. I fear nothing in the physical or spiritual realm. God protects me.

WHERE ARE THE STRAIGHT PATHS?

I know there is safety in the LORD but what about the paths I have chosen? All my ways seem innocent to me, but motives are weighed by the LORD. (Proverbs 16:2) There are truly ways that are pleasing to God and ways that are not.

David prayed, “Teach me your way, O LORD, lead me in a straight path.” Psalm 27:11

We talked about iniquity. We talked about sin that was committed to us but what about the ways in which we stumble? How can we keep our feet on straight paths?

BRING IT INTO THE LIGHT

John 3:20-21 says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

I believe the way to keep our feet on straight paths is to bring everything into the light. I think we confess the ways in which we stumble, have an attitude of humility, seek wisdom and understanding, heed that instruction and guard it well. After all, we make plans, but God determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

The woman at the well met Jesus on a normal day. She did not intend to have her deeds exposed. She was not planning to step into the light, but when Jesus told her everything she ever did, she rejoiced. (John 4) She wondered where her feet should go to worship, but Jesus explained that genuine worship is in spirt and in truth.

We need not worry about where we should worship or pray. Being truthful about the state of our own hearts and confessing the truth found in the Word is the posture we should take before God.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:2

Practically, this means I wake up each day and confess the burdens of my heart to God. As the sun rises, I allow the light to expose the dealings of my heart. I tell God my worries and my temptations. I rejoice and give thanks for the things he brought me through. I commit my day to him before I begin making plans. Since my day is committed to him, I trust that he will guide me on straight paths.

I think the trust part is the hardest part. It’s easy for me to commit my day to him. It’s hard to trust he will guard my path. But if I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him (2 Timothy 1:12) and I end up in a hard part of the path, I can trust that he is working that hard thing for my good. Guarding my path does not mean that I will never experience trials and temptations. Jesus himself experienced trials and temptations. Guarding my path means God never leaves me when trials come. He provides protection in the storm. He is the stronghold when the enemy attacks. He brings healing when I’m broken.

At times, I have run from that protection and straight into sin. God does not prevent me running into sin. Guarding the path is not like putting up unscalable walls. It’s more like guardrails. God will allow us to plow right through the boundaries he established, but we will know when we crossed the line AND it’s gonna hurt.

All we need do is return to him. His mercies are new every morning. Then we commit this new day to him and he brings us back to the path, establishes our plans we have committed to him anew. The bright strand of the LORD weaves along side our way. He is with us when the darkness overwhelms. He is with us in the ditches we dug for ourselves. He is shining light on all we do.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

WEEKLY BIBLE MEDITATION

1. Psalms 27 – Psalms 27:1 “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?”
2. Proverbs 16:1-8 – Proverbs 16:2 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
3. Proverbs 16:9-25 – Proverbs 16:9 “In their heart’s humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
4. John 4:1-28 – John 4:29 29 “’Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?'”
5. John 3:11-21 – John 3:20-21 “Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”