I grew up in a fortress. I spent many years on Air Force Strategic Air Command bases surrounded by fences with armed guards on the gates. Guards stopped non-military guests at the gate and called to see if we were expecting them before allowing them entrance. Such a guarded environment should have made me feel secure, but the presence of armed guards usually only emphasizes danger is near.
During the Cold War, my pilot father flew many times with live bombs toward the Soviet Union. If he had ever been told to strike the target, he wouldn’t have had enough fuel to return. He explained that would mean we were in a nuclear war and our base would have been destroyed while he was in the air. So much for living in a fortress!
When as an adult I came to know Christ as my Savior, I discovered the security I’d always wanted. I found many places in the Bible where the Lord comforted the fears of His people. He didn’t promise to keep us in a fortress protected with fences, armed guards–or bombers. He promised to be our fortress. As Psalm 46 reminds us, the LORD Almighty is with us. He fences us in with cords of love. The peace of God guards (literally marches guard duty around) our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7). And, if necessary, He will avenge us.
Knowing God as my fortress has freed me from the fears of my childhood. As we enter the new year, may God give you a real sense of the safety and security that He offers each of us in His Son Jesus.
About Vicki Huffman
National award-winning journalist Vicki Huffman's latest book is Soon to Come: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is a verse by verse exposition of the only purely prophetical book in the New Testament. Her other five books are: The Jesus Moses Knew: How to See Christ in the Old Testament; A Secret Hope (novel); Still Looking: Finding the Peace of God in Job Loss; Plus Living: Looking for Joy in All the Right Places, and The Best of Times. All are available in print and e-book on amazon.com. Vicki is a national award-winning author who has taught the Bible for many years. She was an editor for several Christian publishing houses, including Thomas Nelson and David C. Cook Ministries.
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