In Our Midst

I woke up this morning with the words from a song, now I cannot even remember the song, but the words consist of the phrase, 'The Lord is a strong tower'. Generally when the Holy Spirit speaks to me in those moments upon awakening and it is with a song, it is always something significant.

This was fitting for the morning. Two of my girlfirends were in from out of town and I came out to where they were camped out in my livingroom, and sang the lyrics. The night before we had decided we would spend the morning in prayer. That we did. We three were tremendously blessed as the Holy Spirit poured out his love, words of prophecy, healing and wisdom.

We wrestled with the issues of fear, doubt, trust, etcetera. This posed questions as to where God fit into these issues. Is God in control or are we? Do we believe all His word tells us or not? Do we walk on God's path or our own? These are difficult questions, particularly if God is not front and centre in all areas of your life.

There are many verses in the bible on dealing with some of these issues; I decided to include 3 for illustration:

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

Mar 11:23 For truly I say to you that whoever shall say to this mountain, Be moved and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he said shall occur, he shall have whatever he said.

Psa 37:5 Give yourself to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you;

When we put the Lord ahead of any problem and hand Him complete control of every and any situation, there truly is no room for the angst associated with these issues and questions. God is our strength, our tower in the midst of any situation or place.

As I looked up the definition of a tower to receive clarification, it helped to place a greater understanding on the lyrics of that song. Here are some of the meanings:

• a building or structure higher than it is wide, either isolated or forming part of a building;
• such a structure used as or intended for a stronghold, fortress, prison, etc.;
• a tall, movable structure used in ancient and medieval warfare in storming a fortified place;
• to rise or extend upward, as a tower; reach or stand high;
• to rise above or surpass others;

He is our strong tower. Jeremiah knew this:
Jer 16:19a 'GOD, my strength, my stronghold, my safe retreat when trouble descends...'

No matter what may be around, in the greatest of storms or the clearest of skies, as we seek for all the answers, run for cover or do not know where to turn...

In our midst there is God.