Fortress: refuge, rock, shelter. A fortress is a place that you run to when you are under attack to find refuge, shelter and protection! It’s a place that you run to when you are pressed down!

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

 ⁸ We are PRESSED ON EVERY SIDE BY TROUBLES, but we are NOT CRUSHED. We are PERPLEXED, but NOT DRIVEN TO DESPAIR. ⁹ We are HUNTED DOWN, but NEVER ABANDONED by God. We get KNOCKED DOWN, but we are NOT DESTROYED (2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT)

In 1 Samuel Chapter 30, the Bible gives us an account of a man by the name of David who found himself in a place called Ziklag which in Hebrew means “Pressed Down”

Right there in this place called “Pressed Down” where he was facing a death sentence, the Bible says that: DAVID FOUND STRENGTH IN THE LORD HIS GOD

• David found strength when he drew near to God, when he called on His name.
• David discovered a new meaning to the word Ziklag: Fortress
• Ziklag means “Pressed Down” but also “Fortress”

A PLACE OF PRESSING CAN BECOME A FORTRESS WHEN YOU CALL ON HIS NAME AND RUN TO HIM.

The NAME of the LORD is A STRONG FORTRESS; THE GODLY RUN TO HIM and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NLT)

Why would anyone run away from God? Why would anyone choose to “social distance” themselves from God? When He is the only shelter in a storm. When He is the only refuge in the middle of a pandemic.

• Anytime someone distances themselves from God…something else or someone else will occupy that space.
• Depression: it’s someone who has been running to the wrong refuge!
• Sometime that refuge can be sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships, friendships
• I believe Godly character is forged in seasons where we are pressed down!
• I believe the God’s best tools are forged in hottest fires of life where we are challenged!

WHEN YOU MAKE GOD YOUR FORTRESS, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE TOOLS:

TOOL 1: PRESENT HELP

God is our REFUGE and STRENGTH,  ALWAYS READY TO HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.² So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. ³ Let the oceans roar and foam.  Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge (Psalm 46:1-3 NLT)

• In the NKJ it says: Present help in times of trouble
• WHEN TROUBLE COMES YOUR WAY, HE STEPS IN!

TOOL 2: FREEDOM FROM FEAR

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? (Psalm 27: 1 NLT)

• When you turn on the truth of God’s Word, fear has to leave
• When God is your light, you don’t have to walk in darkness. His Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path

TOOL 3: REST

Those who live in the SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH will find REST in the shadow of the Almighty. ² This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT)

• When you make God your shelter, your refuge, your fortress, you will find rest!
• But when you make that shelter your “secret place” where you meet God –YOU WILL FIND REST

TOOL 4: RESCUE AND PROTECTION

“For he will RESCUE YOU from EVERY TRAP and PROTECT YOU from DEADLY DISEASE.” (Psalm 91:3 NLT)

If you make the Lord your refuge,  if you make the Most High your shelter, ¹⁰ NO EVIL WILL CONQUER YOU; NO PLAGUE WILL COME NEAR YOUR HOME. (Psalm 91: 9-10 NLT)

FINAL THOUGHT: A season of great testing is upon us. Your faith will be tested. Your resolve to serve God will challenged. Your commitment to the local church will be challenged.  Luke 21:25-28

²⁵ “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. ²⁶ People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

²⁷ THEN EVERYONE WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. ²⁸ SO WHEN ALL THESE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN, STAND AND LOOK UP, FOR YOUR SALVATION IS NEAR

CONCLUSION:

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these messages?
• Would you make the Lord your fortress?