The Lord is a stronghold, for those who seek Him.

Grace and peace to you my friends,

"  The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
        a stronghold in times of trouble.
    And those who know your name put their trust in you,
        for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you."
Psalm 9:9-10 ESV

My friends, this passage highlights exactly why I've been advocating that we put time and effort into being in the Word of God, the Bible. All of us, at times, feel "oppressed" and even get ourselves into "trouble". The Bible is full of stories of REAL people, who had the same kinds of problems and troubles, who were saved, protected or sheltered by the Lord their "stronghold". This passage summarizes the theme of all those stories, "you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you".

There is so much encouragement and hope waiting for us between the covers of this book. All we need to do is access it. Considering the eternal weight of all that's at stake, do any of our excuses, for not making it a priority, really hold any water? The Bible says that God has given us every thing that we need to successfully live out this Christian life. It's all right in front of us, right there in the Bible.

Friends, knowing God's Word, and what He has to say to us, is what keeps us armed and protected as we are walking through the battle field of life. And believe me, it really is a battle but not one against flesh and blood. It's spiritual battle, a daily one, where Satan and our sinful nature team up against us seeking to destroy our faith and hope at every turn. So if we aren't fully suited up in our best battle gear, which only the word of God can provide,  we don't stand a chance. If you were in a war, in the physical world, you wouldn't only put your armor on one day a week and the rest of the time walk around the battle field in your underwear. That's absurd, no one would intentionally handicap themselves that way. As silly as that sounds, how often though do we not do the same thing. I'm not pointing fingers here because this is my daily battle as well. At Bible study last week, we were lamenting this very idea. Oh how easily we forsake our armor and the One who has promised never to forsake us!

Let us all fall to our knees before our God and seek His mercy and grace. Only He can fuel our hearts desire to know Him more. "Lord God, forgive me for not giving you more of my time, forgive me for not treasuring you and your Word like I really should. Father you alone are our only hope and right now I look to you, trusting that all you have said is true and good. "you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you" and you are our mighty "stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." I pray Lord God for those who are feeling oppressed and forsaken, that they would be reminded and encouraged to flee back to their God, their stronghold. May your Words oh Lord guard our hearts and keep us from sinning against you and may they light our path as we walk in the foot steps of Christ through this fallen world. You alone are the only wise God and it's in you that we hope and trust. Come this day, precious Savior, and speak through your Word into the hearts of your people, for the glory of your name I pray, Amen."

For the Joy of Your Faith and the Hope of God's Word,
Teagan