In the ancient world, communities were surrounded by fortified walls. The walls could be anywhere from fifteen to twenty-five feet thick. Often, there were two or three sets of walls—walls within walls, made of rough or cut stone, around twenty feet high. Huge gates, made of wood and overlaid with bronze to protect them from fire, were set into the walls. Since gates were the point of weakness, there would be gates within gates. Armed guards defended the gates that were always shut at night to protect the inhabitants from an invasion during the darkness. Fortresses were not built in the middle of the plains. Rather, they were built in high places, on top of or into the side of a mountain. So, with that background, check out today’s passage.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

The Hebrew word for fortress is medsudah. The name describes a place of strength, protection, safety, and security. That’s why the psalmist says that the Lord is “my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Every fortress of the ancient world failed. At some point, an enemy army scaled the walls, breached the gates, or shut off the water and food supply, putting the city under siege. Likewise, all the fortresses we place around our lives will fail. But God will never fail us. Remember how Martin Luther said it in the great hymn of the faith, “A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing.” The Almighty Fortress will protect us today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity.

Father,
Thank you for being my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Thank you for the promise of your protection. Thank you for your safety and security. Thank you for the assurance that you will stand guard over my life today and throughout eternity.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.