Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold.
A stronghold or a fortress is a defensive structure of walls and protective measures to withstand the attack of the enemy. It is a military construction around a city or a territory to resist the attack of the enemies. Spiritually, a stronghold can either be a place of safety and security or a trap and a snare that we are caught in. Strongholds are built brick by brick by our choices, decisions and repeated actions. Making the right choice and turning towards the right direction will build strongholds of safety but wrong choices and deleterious decisions will trap people in captivity of sinful habits, lifestyles and addictions.
As soon as David was anointed as King, the Philistines mustered all their strength and came against him. It was like all hell broke loose. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold (2 Samuel 5:17-20). David refrained to his place of refuge before he went out to face the enemy. David was a skillful warrior and he had a powerful army with mighty men, yet he withdrew into his stronghold, his defensive fortress, to have a conversation with the Lord. It was in the stronghold that he received the battle strategies, instructions and directions. David never took a step forward until the Lord spoke to him. Hence he could boldly sing, The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:2).
The refuge we run to when the enemy comes like a flood is either the stronghold of safety or the stranglehold of sin. The stronghold of the mighty warrior and the most loved king of Israel, David, was only the Lord God.
Unhealthy Strongholds:
1. Skills: If we put our trust in the gift of our gab, business acumen, or intelligence, we will be imprisoned in the stronghold of our skills. A difficult challenge on our proficiency will make us insecure and unstable. Anyone more talented or skillful than us can intimidate and shake the foundation of the stronghold. “Trust” in the Lord is the strongest and safest stronghold.
2. Security: If our security is in our jobs, assets, business or bank balance, one lockdown will destroy the stronghold. This is why the statistics of people in depression rocketed high during the COVID lockdowns.
3. Stronghold: The stronghold of influential people, friends or family will crumble like a pack of cards. It is foolish to put our trust in people.
Unhealthy strongholds hold us captives but Jesus our Saviour is the safest stronghold and fortress, who will never fail.
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are my refuge, my strength and my stronghold. Help me to demolish any mental or emotional unhealthy strongholds. Amen.
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