Our Stronghold

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-7 ESV).

 

No building captures the imagination like a castle. You may recognize the castle pictured today with the devotional. It is known as “Trim Catle.” It was Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman fortification, and was founded by Hugh de Lacy in 1173 and destroyed by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, Ireland's last high king, within a year. The building seen today was begun around 1200 and has hardly been modified since. By the 16th century, the castle had begun to fall into decline and in 1649, when the town was taken by Cromwellian forces, it was severely damaged. The castle's grassy two-hectare enclosure is dominated by a massive stone keep, mounted on a Norman motte. It briefly returned to its former glory in 1996 as a location for Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, where it was the setting for Edinburgh Castle, York Castle and the Tower of London.

 

Turrets, moats, and secret passageways feed our sense of romanticism. The military, political, social, and economic role of castles and fortress cities was paramount in ancient times. Developed first as strongholds of timber and earthworks, they were later redesigned with stone. The psalmist may not have been familiar with the design of castles or fortresses as we know them. But he did have in mind their purpose, to provide people with an invincible refuge. There can never be a man-made structure providing that.

 

If 2020 taught any lesson, it must be that we are not invincible. To think a microscopic virus could completely disrupt the normative pattern of the world was the last thing on my list of potential threats at this time last year. The truth is I thought I had my life pretty much under control. Mary and I had just celebrated our 50^th anniversary, our children and grandchildren were doing well. We were settled in our own routine. February rolled around and my oldest brother died; March came and a routine procedure put Mary into ICU after major emergency surgery; and Covid-19 became the new routine. In a time of when the “enemies” of our peace threaten to crush us, our fortresses should hold fast.

 

Again I was reminded that believers have a foundation, a refuge. That will stand firm.  This metaphor of a stronghold underscores for us the critical importance of the footings of faith. Such an image can give us poise amid the panic of unstable economies, political chaos, or war. When the familiar collapses, we have a refuge! You could put your trust in a retirement fund or a new political party. But wise people trust in the God who is a refuge. Be careful what you make as your refuge in this New Year!