How could we see that light of God shining forth in our own lives?.The Greek word for “stronghold” here is defined as a: place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold. God provided all that He needed during the days of desolation, even placing a spring of water in the middle of the barrenness. He had come to realize that the very place that felt so forlorn had become God’s protection during the years of his enemy’s pursuit. How could God have led David to those dry and forsaken lands? And yet, that is precisely the phrase that David used, while he was cut off from his home: GOD is the stronghold of my life. Have you ever seen photos from Israeli tour groups who have walked through the desert land of En Gedi? A spring enclosed was hidden there with nourishing water for those who had survived the desert. It was a forlorn place, with caves built into the sides of the cliffs that were perfect for hiding.
In fact, when David wrote of the Lord being his stronghold, he had spent his own time of desolation-dwelling in a place commonly known as “the strongholds of En Gedi.” King Saul had chased him and tried to take his very life. My own light had failed, and I struggled to glimpse how the light of my Savior could possibly shine in this darkened room of pain.ĭo we know that the Lord is truly our light?Īnd if we do, then how do we let His light guide us through the dark days of pain and weakness?ĭavid, the author of this Psalm, knew something of what it meant to face the dark places. But apparently, I had missed one too many of those signs, and I felt myself “forced” into an isolating rest. I thought I had learned to spot the signs of the darkness encroaching I thought I had recognized when the waves of pain would soon approach. Oh, how I had tried to keep my little light shining. I was shut up in my dark room, waiting for the waves of the flare to lift. The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1