Fort

I remember as a kid building forts to hide in as my brothers and sisters played “cowboys and Indians”. The boys were always the cowboys and my two sisters would always be the Indians. We would build a fort for protection and then go “hunting” for the Indians. The fort was usually built out of broken down trees and limbs with leaves on them. It was way bigger and more significant in my imagination. I have since been fascinated with forts. The pioneers in American history, built forts for protection. I visited Old Fort Harrodin Harrodsburg, Kentucky on more than one occasion. There are still references to forts throughout history. In Georgia, we have several military installations, and many are called “forts” – Fort Benning, Fort Gillem, Fort Gordon, Fort McPherson, Fort Stewart. Other installations are called “base”.  I think this concept came from biblical times when the cities had walls around them. The walls provided some level of protection from outside intrusion.

In one of David’s Psalms, he references the Lord as a Fortress. My mind immediately imagined a “fort” for protection. Check this out….

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?

⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.

¹¹ Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me.

¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1,4,11,14 NLT)

When I’m walking with the Lord, I feel His Presence, Protection and His Provision. He always listens to me as I share my “concerns” (aka worries) and my commentary on a particular situation. He gives me wisdom and insight. He calms my fears. He shows me the path through struggle and suffering. He has never left me all alone. Walking with the Lord feels like I have a fort surrounding me and protecting me. There is an enemy who would love to take me out. The enemy would love to destroy whatever influence and leadership the Lord provides through my life. I need the Lord’s Protection every day. I need the Lord’s Presence every day. I need the Lord’s Provision every day. He is my fort – my place to be.

Pressing On!

Dwayne