Devotional: God, Our Fortress

I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 

(Psalm 91:2)

A military wall or a high, strong fence is a means of protection. It prevents enemies or vicious animals from coming inside. Those inside the protected area are secure from whatever is on the other side of the wall or fence.

If the wall or fence has holes or is weak, the people inside the protected area are vulnerable. We know in our minds that God is a refuge and fortress. Yet, at times, we have doubts. We might allow fear to break into our fortress. These responses reflect our natural tendencies or human worries, concerns, or stresses.

We receive strength and guidance when we speak to God and recognize his protection. It is not as if he provides a sudden barrier, like in action movies. The writer of Psalm 91 used four titles for God: Most High, Almighty, the Lord, and God. These names represent the power of our Creator God and his endearing love. God’s name and character are the fortress and our refuge.

Through our spoken words, our hearts grab onto what our minds already know: The Almighty, the Most High, is our sanctuary—our secure place. Notice the confidence of the psalm writer. "I will say to my God in whom I trust.”

As we say to nursing students, you build confidence by saying it, doing it, and believing in the confidence. We don’t wait to feel secure or “positive.” We say out loud we believe and trust God’s security, knowing the power rests in God to bring it forth (Isaiah 55:11). Like the psalmist, you and I can proclaim with confidence, “I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

PRAYER: Almighty, Most High God, we have found refuge in You as a strong encouragement to hold fast to and a hope set before us through Your Son, Jesus. He is our hope, an anchor for our soul that is sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:18-19). Amen.

Carrie Dameron is a nurse, author and educator. She writes articles and devotionals for Nurses Christian Fellowship International (NCFI) and edited the devotional book, Cares, Reflections for Nurses. This post was originally published on the NCFI blog.