A fortress and a refuge!

Have you ever read a verse in the Old Testament that you just really loved, but then you have to do mental gymnastics to see if it applies to you?  I’m thankful we don’t live in the Old Testament and that I can wear my cotton/polyester blend tshirt that I have on, because it’s just so comfortable!  And I’m even more thankful that Scott can shave around the corners of his face – because I’m just not a fan of big, bushy beards!

When I read promises of God in scripture that I love, I know that there is an aspect to the character of a God that never changes – so it tells us something about how God relates to man.  And yet, many times I hear people say, “Well, that’s written for Israel, and we can’t apply that.”

So, I was excited yesterday in reading Nahum when a favorite verse appeared!  I told Scott that I loved that this was written to the people of Nineveh, albeit in a warning to them!  This verse was written, not to His chosen people, but a people that were Gentiles, like me!  Even in the Old Testament times, before the mystery of the church, God cared about ALL people – remember He sent Jonah to Nineveh to prophesy, because He knew they would repent!  How beautiful that God made a way for them!

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

I believe that He is warning the people of Nineveh that they could not put their trust in their own fortifications, rely on their own strength.   That it’s the comfort and safety that God provides which protects His people.  There was coming a day for these people in which they would lose all that they had – but there was the beautiful assurance that God knows those who put their trust in Him!  (He is even called Jehovah to this foreign nation!)

There are people today who have lost all they have – for many different reasons.  There is such a comfort and safety in knowing that the Lord is a strong tower that the righteous can run to in times of trouble!  We cannot put any trust in our own strength.  But His is more than sufficient!

Then today, in my regular reading that I do with a group of ladies for accountability, I read Psalm 9, and wouldn’t you know that this verse popped out at me!

Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge (stronghold) for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;  for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Wow!  He is the stronghold that we must trust in rather than our own abilities.  But, He is also the stronghold for those who naturally have NO trust in their own abilities.  It’s a warning and reminder for us to put ALL of our confidence in Him alone.  And for the week and needy, the oppressed, it’s a beautiful safe place where there is a refuge – safety and comfort, strength and power!

In which place do you find yourself?  Are you tempted to rely on your abilities and need the reminder to put your trust in Him alone?  Or are you really struggling, and need to run to the safety of God’s strength today?

Trust Him today!  He is the One who will never fail!