Strongholds 102

Psalm 125:² “Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord’s wraparound presence surrounds his people, protecting them now and forever.” (NLT & TPT)

A stronghold, ChatGPT says is, “a position that is strongly defended. A stronghold is associated with strength, security, and defence.” It means that every time you see a citadel, inside the middle of it you will see a castle. Around it, you will see strong, thick, and high walls. The things in the citadel are the most precious in the land, in the city. That is where the king resides, that is where the king’s daughters, the king’s sons, the king’s wife or wife’s, and the king’s resources. The central war room war room is usually in the citadel. That is where the most precious humans and resources of the city or nation are concentrated. So, it has to be strongly defended.

Similarly, in our lives we have to build strongholds that are defensive positions, heavily fortified to repel attacks of the enemy. Since strongholds have to be heavily fortified, strongholds are not nimble. Strongholds are not necessarily mobile by nature. Strongholds easily become sitting targets and battlefields because of the precious things they house. Strongholds can easily be besieged preventing people from going in and coming out. And if the stronghold does not have its own water supply, they can cut off the water supply. The stronghold has to be self-sufficient. This is so huge, and God needs us to understand this.

In different parts of the world where power works, when there is a power cut, the family is confused. If you go to the Neighbourhood app, for example, you will see people saying all sorts of things. “My cat is going to freeze to death”, or “My dog is crying because there is no light”. Where I come from, we get ready for a power cut. When power is out, you put on your generator. You have your supply, your citadel, your stronghold is strong. There are times when there are power cuts for hours in Dallas. Years ago, a tornado went through the city and caused a lot of damage. At the point of such unplanned events, how deep are your resources to provide light, food, and supplies for your family? That is the depth of your citadel, stronghold, habitation.

You should build a stronghold. This why some people have weapons, so that if an intruder enters their home, they can repel the attack. Strongholds and citadels easily become sitting targets. That is why the City of David (Jerusalem) was strategically positioned in the heart of the heights surrounded by mountains.

Prayer: Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God’s presence forms a wall, a shield, and an impregnable defence around me and my family. Amen!