“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.”
– Psalm 9:9
A stronghold is a well-fortified place. A fort. A fortress. The keep of a castle. The strong tower at the heart of a system of defenses. That is the Lord for the oppressed. Those crushed by the world, its ways, and the wicked people who so often grab power. God is ready to hear the prayers of those in dire need and terrible danger. He is ready to protect their precious, eternal souls, guarding their inheritance that will never end. He is on their side, standing with them in the fire. He is not distant or uninvolved. He will intervene for His people and He will bring eternal justice on those who oppress them.
The psalmist doesn’t say that the Lord is a stronghold for the powerful, the comfortable, or the cruel. He is not a place of refuge and safety for them. His heart is for the meek, the humble, and those suffering for their devotion to Him. Jesus demonstrated that throughout His life on earth and by His sacrificial death on the cross. None of this has changed. None of this will ever change.
So, if you find yourself in a time of trouble, hurry to the Lord in prayer. Make it your first resort, not your last. Pour out your sorrows and your suffering to the Lord. Take shelter in Him, your rock and refuge. And should you find yourself in a time of peace, comfort, prosperity, or power, remember where the heart of God lies. Make His heart your heart. Love and protect those who are oppressed and in desperate need of refuge. #FollowJesus