“You are my strength, I
watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” Psalm 59:9-10a
David wrote this Psalm at a time when King Saul had sent men
to watch his house in order to kill him.
Saul was jealous of David, for he was hand chosen by God to be King over
all of Israel. While Saul was the
current king, God’s spirit had left him due to his disobedience.
The thing we see regarding David throughout the Psalms
written by him is that he was well aware of just who God was and what He was
capable of. Here David refers to Him as
his fortress. A fortress is any place of
exceptional security. It’s a stronghold; a place or source of refuge or support. That’s what God is. He’s our protector and place of refuge. Nothing can permeate the protection God
provides for us. David knew that,
therefore he relied heavily on Him.
Reliance is depending on someone or something for support,
help, or supply. It’s to place your
faith or confidence in that person or thing.
Although he had times when temptation overtook him, David always turned
to God in the end; not only when he was in need, but also to lift up His name
in worship. David, though flawed, was
referred to in scripture as “the apple of
God’s eye” and “a man after God’s own
heart”. David’s life should be a
lesson to us that while we may stumble and fall as he did, with God there is
always forgiveness for the pure in heart that seek it. Those who are cavalier about their
relationship with the Lord and continue down the path of disobedience have
nowhere to turn when they find they are at the end of their rope. God alone is our fortress and strong tower
(Psalm 61:3; Proverbs 18:10). He alone
is the One who can save us and protect us from evil. He alone never lets us down. He is fully trustworthy; therefore He can be
relied on without question or hesitation.
When times get difficult and you don’t know where to turn,
look up and seek the face of God, for He is our ever-present source of refuge
and support. He is the only One in this
life that can be fully relied upon at all times. Until next time, walk with the King and be a
blessing!
NOTE: Definitions supplied by the Collins English Dictionary, American
Heritage® Dictionary and Random House Kernerman
Webster's College Dictionary.
