Stronghold in Times of Trouble
I was thinking about the word, “Stronghold”. It carries a couple, short definitions: “A fortified place (fortress)” and “a place dominated by a particular group.” Don’t know exactly why the word came to mind; but, maybe it’s simply because of wrestling with habits; ways of thinking, speaking, doing that are fighting me in my walk of faith. Know what I mean?
It’s been a tough couple weeks..a struggle. A good struggle; but, tough nonetheless. And, I can see in both definitions where I’m at–fighting against strongholds in my life, the negative, faith-less places; and, looking for a place to ‘hide out’ in safety. Maybe it’s just me; but, I doubt that.
Anyway, I was lead to a couple passages:
2 Samuel 22:1b-4: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior–from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-4: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
The Lord says, “Yes, I AM your Rock, your Fortress, your Shield, your Strength. I AM unshakable, unmovable; and, in Me alone is salvation-your peace.” “You know this,” says the Lord. “But, I must remind you.
I remind you,also, that I do not place you upon the unshakable Rock of My Presence, or wrap My Spirit around you as a Fortress and Shield, or pour out My Strength through giftings, anointing, calling, so that you will HIDE AWAY, seeking only to escape.” “No–I pour out upon you all these that you will pour them out upon the world.”
“Come INTO ME, My children–not to escape the world; but, to be RENEWED in My Presence. Strengthened with new anointing for a new day in order that you will then move FORWARD in this new day with My Power.” “Therefore, do not look for a way out; but, a new way through. Do not look to escape the world; but, to change the world.”
The Lord says, “Truly, I AM pouring Myself into you in ever increasing measure, glory to glory; that, you will POUR ME OUT upon the land in ever increasing measure. Therefore, DO NOT FEAR.”
“Step forward in faith,” says the Lord, “for I have given, more, I AM giving you weapons-divine weapons; and, you will use them in the days ahead with precision. They will strike fast, hard, deep. And every, EVERY, enemy stronghold will crumble.”
“For,” says the Lord, “I AM your ROCK-you will not fall. I AM your SALVATION-YOU WILL NOT BE LOST. I AM your SHIELD-you will not be struck down. I AM your LIFE-you will not die. I AM your LIGHT-you will not stumble. I AM your BREAD and your WINE-you will not faint. I AM your VICTOR and your VICTORY–YOU CANNOT FAIL.” “Do not fear, My children, for I AM with you,” says the Lord.
I believe it is time for us to seize the day, grab hold of GOD with every fiber of our being. RUN INTO GOD, RUN INTO GOD! It is time to lay hold of the KINGDOM OF GOD as never before, and come into 2010 with renewed authority and power to truly see change in the land.
IT IS A NEW DAY..the strongholds of the enemy are COMING DOWN!! For we, you and I, are more than conquerors in Jesus.