A Strong Tower
by C. Dolan
photo source
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
- Proverbs 18:10
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth...
- J0b 19:25
Those who trust in the LORD
are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
- Psalm 125:1-2
are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
- Psalm 125:1-2
Good-bye 2010!
It was only twelve months ago that we welcomed this year 2010 ... and now it's time for her to go.
I always feel a bit of nostalgia each time the year comes to a close.
This year has really been a good one...
It is but fitting to say a word of gratitude to God during the last remaining hours of the old year.
As 2010 ends, these words of Scripture (Psalm 91) resonate in my heart:
It was only twelve months ago that we welcomed this year 2010 ... and now it's time for her to go.
I always feel a bit of nostalgia each time the year comes to a close.
This year has really been a good one...
It is but fitting to say a word of gratitude to God during the last remaining hours of the old year.
As 2010 ends, these words of Scripture (Psalm 91) resonate in my heart:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
I have held on to the words of this famous Psalm these past years. Through these words, God assures me of His presence, provision and protection; however, it means that I have first made the choice to make Him my dwelling place.
To make God my dwelling place was a choice I made in the early 1970s. I was just a university freshman then ... and God became so real to me... and I knew I'd be a fool not to turn the reins of my life over to the One who created me. This will always be the best thing that's ever happened to me.
God has never left my side through all the seasons of my life. I have come to know Him as Friend... Father... Protector... Provider.
He is Faithful, He is True. He is my Mighty Deliverer.
There are many facets to Him that I still have to discover. As I have often mentioned on this blog, it will take forever to know God.
He is unfathomable! I look forward to a life of endless discovery... and with each new discovery, I know my love... my admiration... my adoration... and my worship of my God will deepen and grow.
There are people who know God only at an intellectual level... but it has been my privilege to know Him as a real person, not just as a picture or a word in a book.
My God has been there for me and my family in the past...
He has been there for me in the days, weeks, and months of 2010.
Yes, my God will be there for me in 2011!
One of my deepest joys in life has been to be with people who also seek to know God in an intimate way... with them I share the same hunger, the same longing to know Him more...
To those who know God this way, He has proven His faithfulness, year after year.
There is a thirst for more of Him... a willingness to give all just to know Him in His fullness...
Such desire leads to a journey that never ends... for the journey to God's heart is one that leads to eternity. It will take forever to know God.
How refreshing it is to be with such people! One feels a sense of freedom, and reckless abandon... a deep joy that cannot be contained.
They live with a sense of not taking things too seriously... of not always having to be neat... or correct... or perfect...
of being able to laugh at one another's mistakes.
Because he or she knows God loves, God accepts. There is room to fail, and to pick up the broken pieces, and to try again.
The words that a person speaks or writes reveal if that person knows God in an intimate way...
One can surely tell if that person has spent many long hours with the Father, the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit ... in the valleys, in the mountains, in the fire, in the flood...
Spending long hours with the Father, gazing often into His eyes, walking with Jesus in the garden of prayer... it is but inevitable that the character of the Father somehow transfers to you.
One can tell.
There is a certain meekness, gentleness... a certain sense of abandon... a relinquished life.
It is but inevitable...you become like the person or thing that you often behold or think about.
And as the year 2010 is about to end, how reassuring it is to embrace this one fact:
And when the hour comes, when the need arises, my God is standing near... His saving hand is ready. He will reach out.
He will not withhold His provision...His protection...His guidance...His care.
Of that I am certain.
I know that my Redeemer lives.
He is a very present help in time of trouble.
I have no doubt. My faith is absolute.
How the enemy wants us to cling to a false religion of self-reliance... wherein one is constantly driven to make sure that his resources are enough provision for the rainy day.
Yes, we are called to be wise and responsible stewards. This is an important part of being an intentional disciple.
But how easily it can become a false religion of works and self-help...
And really, after having taken all measures to be prepared, there is still no fool-proof guarantee.
Job comes to mind.
He was one person who was surely prepared... yet in one sweep, lost it all.
Job learned first hand the vanity, the futility, of trusting in chariots, or in riches.
And it was Job who wrote the famous lines of Job 19:25
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
I have held on to the words of this famous Psalm these past years. Through these words, God assures me of His presence, provision and protection; however, it means that I have first made the choice to make Him my dwelling place.
To make God my dwelling place was a choice I made in the early 1970s. I was just a university freshman then ... and God became so real to me... and I knew I'd be a fool not to turn the reins of my life over to the One who created me. This will always be the best thing that's ever happened to me.
God has never left my side through all the seasons of my life. I have come to know Him as Friend... Father... Protector... Provider.
He is Faithful, He is True. He is my Mighty Deliverer.
There are many facets to Him that I still have to discover. As I have often mentioned on this blog, it will take forever to know God.
He is unfathomable! I look forward to a life of endless discovery... and with each new discovery, I know my love... my admiration... my adoration... and my worship of my God will deepen and grow.
There are people who know God only at an intellectual level... but it has been my privilege to know Him as a real person, not just as a picture or a word in a book.
My God has been there for me and my family in the past...
He has been there for me in the days, weeks, and months of 2010.
Yes, my God will be there for me in 2011!
One of my deepest joys in life has been to be with people who also seek to know God in an intimate way... with them I share the same hunger, the same longing to know Him more...
To those who know God this way, He has proven His faithfulness, year after year.
There is a thirst for more of Him... a willingness to give all just to know Him in His fullness...
Such desire leads to a journey that never ends... for the journey to God's heart is one that leads to eternity. It will take forever to know God.
How refreshing it is to be with such people! One feels a sense of freedom, and reckless abandon... a deep joy that cannot be contained.
They live with a sense of not taking things too seriously... of not always having to be neat... or correct... or perfect...
of being able to laugh at one another's mistakes.
Because he or she knows God loves, God accepts. There is room to fail, and to pick up the broken pieces, and to try again.
The words that a person speaks or writes reveal if that person knows God in an intimate way...
One can surely tell if that person has spent many long hours with the Father, the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit ... in the valleys, in the mountains, in the fire, in the flood...
Spending long hours with the Father, gazing often into His eyes, walking with Jesus in the garden of prayer... it is but inevitable that the character of the Father somehow transfers to you.
One can tell.
There is a certain meekness, gentleness... a certain sense of abandon... a relinquished life.
It is but inevitable...you become like the person or thing that you often behold or think about.
And as the year 2010 is about to end, how reassuring it is to embrace this one fact:
the Father also knows those who are truly His.
And when the hour comes, when the need arises, my God is standing near... His saving hand is ready. He will reach out.
He will not withhold His provision...His protection...His guidance...His care.
Of that I am certain.
I know that my Redeemer lives.
He is a very present help in time of trouble.
I have no doubt. My faith is absolute.
How the enemy wants us to cling to a false religion of self-reliance... wherein one is constantly driven to make sure that his resources are enough provision for the rainy day.
Yes, we are called to be wise and responsible stewards. This is an important part of being an intentional disciple.
But how easily it can become a false religion of works and self-help...
And really, after having taken all measures to be prepared, there is still no fool-proof guarantee.
Job comes to mind.
He was one person who was surely prepared... yet in one sweep, lost it all.
Job learned first hand the vanity, the futility, of trusting in chariots, or in riches.
And it was Job who wrote the famous lines of Job 19:25
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth...
I think I know what Job means ....
Having experienced some of what Job went through...I do believe his words, without the shadow of a doubt...
God has been my Redeemer. He IS my Redeemer.
He is the only One who can help redeem me from my unwise choices.
He redeems my life from the pit.
He is the One who has rescued me time and again.
Led me out of the traps I have fallen into.
Poured healing balm over my wounds, and nursed them.
He is my Redeemer. The One who gave His own life as ransom payment for my eternal salvation.
For now Redeemer is the word that is foremost on my mind as this year ends.
I cannot thank Him enough! He has all angles covered - He sees even my blind spots... and the areas of deception where the enemy has tried to blindside me.
He is Jehovah El Roi - the God who sees.
In big or small ways, we have all tried to prepare for our future, ... but without a full trust in God, it can be such a heavy load. Sooner or later, fear and anxiety will creep in, and weigh us down...
because one can only do so much...
because in this world, moth and rust consume, thieves break in and steal... markets fluctuate... economies overheat and collapse.
Overnight, a doctor's diagnosis can change the course of someone's life...
And if I have placed my trust in chariots and riches, in my own abilities... then what hope or security is there for me - for the unforeseen, and for the inevitable?
How much planning and preparation will suffice, so that I can sleep each night in peace and total abandonment, never worrying about my future, or about the roof over my head?
I am called to walk in faith... not blind or passive faith, but active faith. When I have done my part to be a responsible steward of what God has entrusted to me, I must also admit that in spite of my best efforts, there is still so much unknown territory ahead of me that is beyond my control.
My God is calling us to look to the heavens... so that we are able to flow through life... graciously, with adaptability and flexibility...
with a sense of deep enjoyment...
with a willingness to be generous without keeping a list...
without weighing others down with a sense of indebtedness...
living life with a sense of reckless abandon... not being reckless in a bad, irresponsible way... but loosening our tight grip on the things of this earth...
motivated by the belief that God is willing... and He is able.
Because I believe that if there is room for mistakes... and failures... there is also room for God.
He will see me through.
I praise God my Father, He is my strong tower. The righteous run to Him and they are safe.
Ultimately, no amount of human preparation will ever be enough...because there really is no substitute for a deep and abiding trust in God.
Only a deep and abiding trust in God will sustain us over the long haul.
As I write these lines, I am listening to Jessie Rogers on my iPod. Her CD Out of the Fire is one that has ministered to me time and time again. I already know most of her songs by heart...
This past hour, I have been listening to only one song, My Refuge. This is definitely my song for 2010.
I have written the words of this song as part of my last journal entry for 2010, dated December 31.
My Refuge
by Jessie Rogers
My right arm
My safe place is in Your heart
You are my dwelling place
You are my safekeeping
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge in in You
My strong shield
My salvation from the storm
You are my hiding place
You are my shelter from the rain
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You...
My Prayer:
Father,
As the year ends, these are the words that resonate in my heart...
For the things that I have not prepared for...
For the things that I have overlooked...
For the things that I have not foreseen...
For the reversals in my life that I have no control over...
I run to You, my Father...
for sakekeeping...
for provision...
for redemption...
Thank You, dear Father. Thank you.
Jesus, I depend on You.
You are my Strong Tower, in You I am safe.
Thank you for teaching me this truth in 2010.
I will continue to depend on You alone in 2011.
I think I know what Job means ....
Having experienced some of what Job went through...I do believe his words, without the shadow of a doubt...
God has been my Redeemer. He IS my Redeemer.
He is the only One who can help redeem me from my unwise choices.
He redeems my life from the pit.
He is the One who has rescued me time and again.
Led me out of the traps I have fallen into.
Poured healing balm over my wounds, and nursed them.
He is my Redeemer. The One who gave His own life as ransom payment for my eternal salvation.
For now Redeemer is the word that is foremost on my mind as this year ends.
I cannot thank Him enough! He has all angles covered - He sees even my blind spots... and the areas of deception where the enemy has tried to blindside me.
He is Jehovah El Roi - the God who sees.
In big or small ways, we have all tried to prepare for our future, ... but without a full trust in God, it can be such a heavy load. Sooner or later, fear and anxiety will creep in, and weigh us down...
because one can only do so much...
because in this world, moth and rust consume, thieves break in and steal... markets fluctuate... economies overheat and collapse.
Overnight, a doctor's diagnosis can change the course of someone's life...
And if I have placed my trust in chariots and riches, in my own abilities... then what hope or security is there for me - for the unforeseen, and for the inevitable?
How much planning and preparation will suffice, so that I can sleep each night in peace and total abandonment, never worrying about my future, or about the roof over my head?
I am called to walk in faith... not blind or passive faith, but active faith. When I have done my part to be a responsible steward of what God has entrusted to me, I must also admit that in spite of my best efforts, there is still so much unknown territory ahead of me that is beyond my control.
My God is calling us to look to the heavens... so that we are able to flow through life... graciously, with adaptability and flexibility...
with a sense of deep enjoyment...
with a willingness to be generous without keeping a list...
without weighing others down with a sense of indebtedness...
living life with a sense of reckless abandon... not being reckless in a bad, irresponsible way... but loosening our tight grip on the things of this earth...
motivated by the belief that God is willing... and He is able.
Because I believe that if there is room for mistakes... and failures... there is also room for God.
He will see me through.
I praise God my Father, He is my strong tower. The righteous run to Him and they are safe.
Ultimately, no amount of human preparation will ever be enough...because there really is no substitute for a deep and abiding trust in God.
Only a deep and abiding trust in God will sustain us over the long haul.
As I write these lines, I am listening to Jessie Rogers on my iPod. Her CD Out of the Fire is one that has ministered to me time and time again. I already know most of her songs by heart...
This past hour, I have been listening to only one song, My Refuge. This is definitely my song for 2010.
I have written the words of this song as part of my last journal entry for 2010, dated December 31.
My Refuge
by Jessie Rogers
My right arm
My safe place is in Your heart
You are my dwelling place
You are my safekeeping
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge in in You
My strong shield
My salvation from the storm
You are my hiding place
You are my shelter from the rain
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
My refuge, my refuge
My refuge is in You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You
Jesus I depend on You...
My Prayer:
Father,
As the year ends, these are the words that resonate in my heart...
For the things that I have not prepared for...
For the things that I have overlooked...
For the things that I have not foreseen...
For the reversals in my life that I have no control over...
I run to You, my Father...
for sakekeeping...
for provision...
for redemption...
Thank You, dear Father. Thank you.
Jesus, I depend on You.
You are my Strong Tower, in You I am safe.
Thank you for teaching me this truth in 2010.
I will continue to depend on You alone in 2011.
21 comments:
I have read this lovely post with tears in my eyes. Lidj - your heart beats with a God-likeness that is so evident in everything you share. You have an intimate relationship with Him - one can tell.
Thank you for these words. As I read them, I asked the Lord to hear them from my heart, too. I am so thankful for my Rock, my Refuge, my Redeemer, my Rescuer, my Jehovah El Roi.
How grateful I am that He sees me. All that happened in 2010, and all that will be in 2011.
I look forward to sharing our journeys in this coming year, and I'm so thankful for our friendship.
Happy New Year, and GOD BLESS!
In one hour will be 2011 here, and I will re-read your post, because it is so much hope there, so much reliance on my Higher Power, so much peace, and I can do no more than thank you, and wish for you more of wonderful LIFE in '11
Hi Lidj! I feel so blessed and fortunate to come across your post 21 minutes into the new year. It is so uplifting and inspirational. Indeed, our everloving God is our rock, fortress, shield, refuge. Take care and have a peaceful and fulfilling new year.
Lidj,
God has continued to bring healing to my heart the past couple of days through His word, through my bible study as well as the hearts of bloggers. He used you as well in this very post, as this spoke volumes to me:
How refreshing it is to be with such people! One feels a sense of freedom, and reckless abandon... a deep joy that cannot be contained.
They live with a sense of not taking things too seriously... of not always having to be neat... or correct... or perfect.
Of being able to laugh at one another's mistakes. Because he or she knows God loves, God accepts. There is room to fail, and to pick up the broken pieces, and to try again.
Thank you, Lidj! Blessings in 2011, with love, Yolanda
Precious Lidj,
Thank you for visiting and leaving your always welcome thoughts. December has been a doodle!
There are many truths in this latest post of yours that ring true. And isn't it the affirmation of what each of us already knows to be true that keeps us encouraged! You said:
"He is Faithful, He is True. He is my Mighty Deliverer."
It is simple, it is complex, it is true. He may not deliver us out of a particular trouble, but, when given to Him, He will not let it overwhelm us. And so we are changed, we are strengthened, we are enlarged by the very thing that would have destroyed us. Indeed, "He is my Mighty Deliverer."
Love to you dear friend,
Judith
Happy new year Lidj and family,
What a timely post in light of the turmoil the world is in. Yes, indeed, our true security comes not from what we have stored away (although important) .. but in Him that is the Maker of all things, Christ Jesus. You are such a blessing and inspiration to me.
Love,
Dearest Lidj, thank you for sharing your heart with us and I pray a beautiful and blessed New Year for you and your family! GOD is indeed faithful and I'm excited about all the ways we will experience His love and faithfulness in 2011 and all the more I pray that we all love Him and offer ourselves to Him in obedience to bring honor and glory to Him.
You're a gift to all who know you and I'm looking forward to getting to know you more in 2011.
Blessings and love.
Hi Lidj,
You have been such an
inspiration to me this past
year. Your post today is
equally encouraging and
fills my heart with hope
for this new year. I wish
you and your family all of
God's best.
Love,
Sandy
Dear Lidj,
Happy New Year to you and your family.
I've had to read this post several times.
Your thoughts and sermon are solid food for my soul.
I can link with your Job testimony,
"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth."
I've been there; when I knew nothing about myself, my faith, my future, the value of who I was or what I had done in life. The only thing I could say for certain was the words of Job,"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth."
That naked rock was the foundation which made me able to move on step by step.
I am privileged to say these words, the core of me being me, still serve as foundation to walk in to a new year and a future unknown.
I felt truly blessed to be reminded by this in your first post for the year 2011.
Yours Felisol
May 2011 bring us closer to heaven.
I have treasures stored up in my heart of all our visits with each other through this past year.
Looking forward to a blessed year ahead. God is doing a 'new thing' in our lives - Making the way straight - springing up rivers in the desert.
Do you perceive it? Stand! and see the Glory of the Lord. Arise, dear Lidj, His Glory shines before you with healing in its wings.
Blessings, dear soul
Patrina <")>><
Hi sister Lidj! Beautiful heartfelt post, laden with truth to have as 2011 is here. Inmates don't like it when deputies do a "shakedown" where everything in their cells are searched, unannounced, unexpected and usually when they are asleep in the night or when they can be off guard. I feel that there are so many shakedowns going on in each of our lives, a way of the Lord calling to us, waking up those who are sleeping, calling on those who don't know Him...to seek Him. To find refuge and shelter in Him.
Psalm 91 is a prayer I keep in my heart, along with Psalm 23. Your post truly encouraged me in a way you will never know. We are having a schedule change at work, going from 8 to 12 hours. This will only affect me. Because of my past neck injury, it is often difficult to work more than that as it aggravates my neck pain. I cling to the Lord and all of His wonderful promises. Knowing that He is our Refuge amidst all these trials we face. Please pray for me sister Lidj, not because I am afraid. But because I don't want to miss what God wants me to do this year for His glory. No matter what changes comes, I know Whose hold never lets go. May your New Year be filled with more understanding and more depth of His love. Can't wait to hear what He has in store for you. For any of our dear friends here in blog land. Love to you sister Lidj and God bless.
I have just "met" you but I sense a heart that yearns after God and His Word. Refuge is a strong, beliving word; how thankful I am of God's refuge as I step into the new year with Him.
Oh how I love this image!
And I agree with you--how easy it is to get caught up in the false religion of self-reliance. It seems that whenever I begin to think I have done anything to make myself who I am, God reminds me, NO--He is the one who blesses. This past semester, I lost 2 classes I normally teach due to the economy and low enrollment. God used it to teach me--He rules and reigns even my job.
I pray God's blessings on you in this New Year. May you enjoy time with those grandbabies and your children. And may you see God's work ever so abundant in your life!
I am currently realizing just how amazing Ps 91 is and how it covers everything! I make it part of my prayer time every day. I love your passion for Jesus and your ongoing testimony of your relationship with Him. I am blessed beyond measure to come over here and read your words of praise and thanksgiving. So glad I'm heading into 2011 with you, my precious sister.
Loving Hugs,
Mary
as always i am humbled and dismayed by
my self centeredness when i visit here. if
i reflect the one i spend my most thoughts
on, it is surely myself.
thank you for sweetly calling my to repentance
and showing me the good path again.
i am thankful to the Lord for leading me to
you.
love,
lea
a ton of yes's to this post...for everything you said. I used to want to go home so badly....home is being one with Him. Home is in His presence....Home is knowing I belong to Him. Hugs to you Lidj...I'm really excited for us for new adventures in twenty eleven. Happy New year...His best throughout
The strong tower and the safe place we run to... a thousand times through the years, is everything! I just say a big AMEN to this beautiful post Lidj.
And your prayer is mine as well.
Thank you... you always bless me.
Love,
Sonja
Thank you Lidj for blessing my life with your friendship. Thank you for all the encouragement especially when my husband Dave went to "live in the light". Your honest and open writings meant so much and were so helpful and uplifting to me in that dark season. God has a big year planned for us Lidj . . I'm truly excited to see what he will bring us . . waiting in anticipation. Lots of love to you, Sandy:O)
Hi Lidj -
This is an exceptional piece. Wow!
What a way to end the year.
I love Proverbs 18:10 and Psalm 91 - They speak of our Lord's love and care and the safety of Him. How precious He is indeed!
You expressed that you know Him and depend on Him. Your love for our Lord, Lidj, is so evident.
Thank you for sharing.
Just viewing the picture brings me to my knees...without Him being my refuge and my strong tower I wouldn't make it. You went through Job...somehow I never understood that book when I was young...and now I am starting to get a little glimpse. To praise Him in all things, naked I came into this world and naked I will leave.
Thanks for always sharing where God has you and allowing me to come along and learn from your teaching.
im a new follower as away to get my spiritual needs met when i can't do it somewhere else. thanks for sharing
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