The Doctrine of God
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Previously, the common images of God have been personal images, namely, a father and a king. This week, the imagery is that of an impersonal object — a fortress.
We commonly think of a fortress as a sturdy structure not easily torn down, broken through or destroyed. Thus, a fortress serves as a stronghold in the face of enemy attacks. As Christians, we understand how life can come under attack from Satan or circumstances. Martin Luther used this imagery in his hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
King David used similar imagery upon being delivered from the hand of his enemies, declaring the Lord his rock and fortress, his strength as well as his stronghold and refuge (2 Sam. 22:2–3).
Our strength
At some point David enlarged this imagery in a song of testimony that we know as part of Psalm 18. In its opening words, David declared, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (vv. 1–2).
The prayer at the beginning of Psalm 31 also employs similar imagery: “Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress” (Ps. 31:2–3).
In times of need God stands willing to be a spiritual and emotional fortress of defense. God looks to be for us a rock, a firmly fixed stone jutting out of troubled waters to which life can be tethered or upon which our feet can be securely planted.
Another prayer of the psalmist, formulated in a time he felt overwhelmed, can often serve us well in our own times of need: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2).
Our safe place
Pondering these Old Testament passages, we see immediately that the idea of God as a fortress travels in company with similar images, such as a stronghold, a shield and a refuge. These images imply a time of peril, vulnerability, uncertainty or fear during which a person needs more than human protection and comfort. Such is God’s offer to His people.
In our part of the country where tornadoes in the springtime are somewhat common, we often hear a forecaster’s advice that it is time to find your way to your safe place. As believers, we sometimes need to find our safe place. As a spiritual fortress, God is the safest place to which we can turn.
Share with others: