DIVINE FORTIFICATION

“And DAVID stayed in STRONGHOLDS in the wilderness…Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand” – 1 Samuel 23:14

GOD, as our Ultimate Protector is committed to our DIVINE FORTIFICATION: “And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand” (1Sam.23:14). This is the account about David who under divine guidance, abode in STRONGHOLDS that had him fortified against attacks. He remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph and King Saul sought him every day, but was never able to touch God’s anointed. “Fortification” is a military word that describes a defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack; a bulwark, rampart, strong wall or tower built to protect.

To fortify means, to consolidate, strengthen or reinforce. During a military battle, supplies have to be replenished and the troops refreshed to make sure they are strong to the finish. The purpose of replenishing and refreshing is to fortify the troops with strength, defensive works, and power to resist attacks. The same applies in spiritual realms. Yesterday we meditated on the Name of the Lord being our Tower of Strength and Safety. Proverbs 18:10-11 in the New International Version says: “The name of the LORD is a FORTIFIED TOWER; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their FORTIFIED CITY; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.” Whereas, the rich man’s wealth – his fortified city – can fail him in the day of adversity, the Name of the Lord – our Fortified Tower – never disappoints!

God will never leave His people defenceless! In order to appropriate His promised protection however, we must consciously equip ourselves with provisions for our fortification. We are surrounded with walls of strength to offset every kind of attack. Like David, we must, through moment-by-moment obedience, abide in our divinely-ordained strongholds, fortified against the machinations and onslaughts of the enemy. Our enemy may seek us but will not be able to touch us in the Place of Divine Fortification. We shall not be victims of the eternal vagabond that’s walking about seeking who to devour (1Pet.5:8).  

How do we stand in the place of Divine Fortification where we are unreachable and untouchable to the adversary? David fortified himself in three ways: through devotion, integrity, and humility.

First, David formed habits of devotion. Communing with God and seeking divine direction was a regular habit for him (vv.9-12). We should likewise develop habits of communing with God in consistent private devotion and in public worship.

Next, David protected himself by servicing his soul with the virtue of Integrity. Though anointed as King, he did not take it upon himself to unseat Saul. Every automobile, equipment or machinery requires servicing for optimum performance. We must service or renew our souls in God’s Word for spiritual fruitfulness – the production of moral and spiritual character.

Finally, David nurtured an attitude of humility. An attitude of humility says I am weak in my own strength; therefore, I rely on the power and strength of God. It means we have a total dependence on God. When attacks come, we fortify ourselves by letting the mind go toward the One who is worthy of the highest praise; the one who provides divine fortification.

The enemies of our souls are unrelenting in their evil pursuit, but God will always fortify and deliver us: “The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand…” (Psa.37:32-33a). Paul testified of God’s faithfulness to fortify His own: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2Tim.4:17-18). May we also be unreachable and untouchable to the enemy, as we flourish with Testimonies of Divine Fortification, in Jesus name!