In the Word: God is My Stronghold
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 18:1-2 together. Psalm 18 was penned by David after God had delivered Him from the hands of his enemies, and is rich with metaphors describing the nature and character of God. In this series, we will be looking at how each of these attributes affords us a greater picture of God’s care for His children, and how knowing and believing these truths can bring comfort to our hearts in the midst of grief. As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us!
GOD IS MY STRONGHOLD
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:1-2
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
Nahum 1:7
READ:
In Psalm chapter 18, we read David’s response to the Lord after being delivered from the hands of his oppressors, his enemies. David walked through the fire and was now able to look back and affirm God’s great love for him through his trails and tribulations. We, too, have walked through our own modern day fires, that of pregnancy loss, and our natural inclination might be to turn from truth instead of towards truth. Yet, I love the example we have in this portion of Scripture. David uses powerful descriptions in verses one and two, all of which can apply to us as Hope Moms.
One description that stands out to me is the word “stronghold”. David looked back on his life and affirmed that God was the one who held him together. If there was one thing I felt after burying my son it was the complete opposite of strong. In contrast, I felt vulnerable, weak, and like I might crumble at any given moment. Yet, David’s affirmation of God’s strength in his time of weakness offers hope in the sorrow.
We don’t have to be strong because God is our stronghold.
If we bring God our weakness, grief, and pain, He promises to hold us together. What a gift this is in our time of need, dear sisters. We don’t have to pretend to be strong. We don’t have to fear our inability to stand or our moments of crumbling in in the midst of sorrow. Just as God held David, so He holds us as we navigate the waves of grief.
We don’t have to be strong because God is our stronghold.
REFLECT:
- Where else in Scripture do you see the example of God offering His strength for our weakness?
- Based on the verses above, how does God’s promise to be your stronghold bring you peace?
JOURNAL:
Take time to journal and record instances in years past of God showing up as your stronghold. These instances can be anything, big or small. Remind yourself of His ever-present faithfulness to be your stronghold. Then, after some time of reflection, write a love letter of thankfulness to your Father for all the ways He has shown Himself faithful to you.
- Brittnie
Hope Mom to Baby A and Chance Michael
Brittnie lives in Sugar Land, Texas and enjoys writing on her blog and other outlets, baking, lingering coffee dates, and soaking in moments with her family. She is a wife to Brandon and a mom to Clara, Camille, and Hope Mom to Baby A (Clara’s twin) and Chance. Psalm 62:1-2 is her go to verse when she needs quick encouragement. She is author of Desert Song, and you can visit with Brittnie at her personal blog, A Joy Renewed, where she shares her faith and family, and encourages her readers to claim joy despite circumstance.
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Karen
September 2, 2022 (6:36 am)
Brittnie….I’m not a mommie. I’m 71 yrs old and suffering w a stronghold….asking God to be MY STRONGHOLD instead. Please pray for me! TU