In this Names of God reading plan, we are learning more about God by studying the names given to Him in Scripture. Rather than having our writers share their own reflections on these passages, we’ve instead provided research-rich content to aid in your study of each day’s featured name of God, including the background of the name(s), a brief explanation of the character of God emphasized by the name(s), and a reflection question to help you dig deeper into the text.
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Refuge & Fortress
Machseh, Metsudah (Hebrew)
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 33:26-29, 2 Samuel 22:1-3, Psalm 18:1-3, Psalm 71:1-8, Isaiah 25:1-5
Description
When God’s people claim He is their refuge or fortress, they are saying He is a safe place in times of trouble. He will take care of them and protect them. King David uses “refuge” frequently to refer to God—a telling admission from the powerful, mighty king of all Israel who led victorious armies into battle. This name of God uses the image of finding safety and rest in a city or fortress to communicate the security God’s people have in Him.
Emphasis
God’s protection from external threats
Reflection
What do these names teach me about God?
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77 thoughts on "Refuge & Fortress"
I trust in you, Mighty God. I am my Beloved’s.
Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress. – Psalms 71:3
Thank you for being our security, our refuge, our fortress.
Lord Jesus thank you for saving me!!❤️
God will always be my Protector
God protects His children.
RENE’ BANCROFT I love ❤️ your post. I agree. Amen
Such a timely message for me. I woke up this morning overwhelmed by painful thoughts from the past. I needed to be reminded that God is my Refuge and my Fortress. He will quiet the voices from the past. He is my refuge from the storm. He will guard my heart and my mind by Christ Jesus.
I love this! I am reminded that even though this world is so hard we always have God as our refuge and fortress! He is our only true safe place -nothing else brings us complete eternal security!
It is so comforting to know that God is our refuge and safe place. This does not mean that troubled times won’t come or that enemies won’t be after us, but we have an eternal hope and peace knowing that we are secure in Him!
This brings so much comfort to my soul. God is my refuge in times of trouble and I always look to him to save me. He has never left me nor forsaken me. Amen!
Psalm 18 is my favorite scripture because God rescued me from my enemies-the ones that were too strong for me. He, indeed , delivered me. I will forever sing praises. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer. Amen. Amen!!!!!
I like how they pointed out that even David, the king, needed refuge. I think it’s easy for us to think once “x” happens, then we will be ok and our anxiety will go away. But even if we somehow achieved a throne we’d still need refuge somewhere. Thank God for being a rock for us.
Great point. I do this often
There is no power on this earth or in the spiritual realms, that has the ability to overpower God! He has all strength & authority to keep watch over me and keep my enemies defeated!!
God is the source of my forever safety, knowing that I can always run to Him when I meet disappointment, or discouragement. And in fact he was already standing there waiting for me. The solid rock on which I stand is my forever refuge and safety. It reminds me to never doubt this!
TRUST. Why do I doubt him? The enemy wants me to be up in arms about life’s downs, but God has it and is working it to completion.
This says to me that God is the refuge to which I run. I always tend to run to a person like my mom or my fiancé, but these are people and I can’t make them my rock. The only solid rock is Jesus, and he is the one I need to run to.
Proverbs 18:10
God, my refuge and hiding place. My protector I can always run into His shelter and be safe from the battles of life and my enemies.
Lord, You are my God;
I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;
For You have worked wonders,
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Need to pray this over and over, I am having a rough early first trimester. His plans for me were formed long ago, so I don’t need be afraid.
I am reminded that He is the great commander of his army- his people- me. He will bring them into battle the best way he sees and will lead his people to victory. We can follow knowing that he is trustworthy and fierce, and that ultimately the battle has already been won. He leads us in hat victory to our refuge, our safe place, our fortress- Jesus.
So many times, I have had to flee to the arms of my Fortress. He alone is all that can make the crazy storms be steadied in my heart. So much going on with my family. Some days I feel like I can’t breathe from the weight of it. God so beautifully reminds me that He is living and active in me and because of the covenant He has with me, He will keep me sustained. It is like He whispers to my heart…”breathe Jo, you have My life in you”. I open His word and breathe in His exhale. He is faithful when I am not. How I love my KING!
Wherever God leads me or whatever may come my way I can trust that God is my deliver and my safe place where I can take refuge. We have such amazing God that lives us so much. Whenever I get down I just need to dwell in the goodness of God and who he is.
How wonderful is God’s love for us, it is mind blowing how quick we forget of his power when in trial but how comforting to know that he is our rock, who never changes and will always be there for us when we remember to run to him. Glory to God!
Sometimes I need a little reminding that I always have my refuge and fortress! Day to Day struggles and realities can make you forget there is safe haven resting within the Lord. I hope to always remind myself of this when feeling anxious or scared. I know my God has got this!
Reading these verses immediately makes me think of the Zach Williams song “Fear is a Liar”. I do my very best to not let fear get the best of me. I remind myself that God is in control. He is always there for me to run to whenever my emotions need to be checked or when I simply feel defeated.
That I don’t have to be afraid and I just need to seek refuge in him
God is my protector and my dwelling place. I can count on God to help me with my battles in life and to have a safe place to go when the going get rough.
In the midst of anxiety and depression, it is easy to forget my fortress in the Lord. I should write it on my arm or something. Because in those times of darkness, his embrace, shelter and security is all I need to regain sure footing. Lord, my fortress, may you be my hiding place, where I find streams cool water, and rest from the taunts of the enemy.
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” ~Psalm 61:1-3
I always have a safe and secure place to run to when I need it. God’s love is a fortress that can never be destroyed. I am protected by God Almighty and He fights for me and alongside me. I don’t have to be afraid.
He protects me. There is nothing He cannot protect His child against. I am safe when I am in His will/ where He wants me to be!
My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer, My Strength, My Shield…My Stronghold…My God!
No matter where I am or what circumstances I find myself in, God will protect me. He is faithful to keep His promises. I can rest in the shelter of His wings. Amen!
❤️
Beautiful
❤️
When troubles come, I do not need to fear – I can sink into the arms of God, and find safety and protection there. He will help me navigate the trials and tribulations of this life from a firm, unmovable place that I can put my complete trust and confidence in.
Wow! Just what I needed to read! God is my refuge and my fortress. I’ve made yet another hard decision. And have gotten so much support and then I read this. Another reminder that my God is with me. Prayers are appreciated this morning.
Lifting you in prayer this morning Mari V! Continue to rest in the fortress of the Lord & He will strengthen you as you journey on this difficult path. Hugs to you today!
Praying
Praise God, He is our safe place. I have felt His wall of protection and love surround me. As believers we have a refuge in our mighty God even when , or especially when we are on the battlefield, the Everlasting Arms are holding us. Glory to our God.
Amen
Sometimes this world is just too much. The news is just too horrific. People are just too cruel. I want to run away and hide. Pull the covers up over my head. Stick my fingers in my ears and close my eyes. Shut everything out. Praise God I have a refuge and fortress I can flee to without even having to move a muscle. He is present with me and I can rest in Him without having to relocate. Better yet, He is my Deliverer. He is more than able to handle all my troubles, all the world’s troubles. I don’t have to have all the answers. HE IS THE ANSWER. I rest in that. I slide out from under my blanket, open my ears and my eyes for He is in charge and He is in control. It is well with my soul. I go out into His world. I follow Him.
❤
Churchmouse!!! So many times I have felt the same way. Your words have truly inspired me this morning. I’ve made another hard decision. Then I come here with all of you and read this wonderful message from my GOD and comments from my sisters reminding me that I am not alone. We are all in this life together. Your words have truly inspired me this morning. I’ve made another hard decision. I know you will be praying for me. I will be praying for you as well.
So true. I never want to leave the fortress and refuge my God gives me through Jesus.
You are my strong Refuge, I am your miraculous sign.
When anxiety attacks me I know I can feel safe talking to my Lord, he is my strength and safety in times of trouble. Thank you Lord, Amen
No better way to start off the work day this morning than to read gems of truth about His protection for the ones He claim. Praise God.
Deut. 33:27 gave me a strong image of just how eternal God is. And that His arms that created the world and held the Biblical giants
Hold me securely.
That I need not fear he who is in the world. That God will ALWAYS provide a way for me…when I picture a fortress I picture something that it impenetrable that cannot be destroyed…and we are SAFE inside.
Just an aside…when I read the comments every morning I truly long that we could sit face to face and worship our God together as I learn so much from each of you and treasure the wisdom.
I feel the same way! That’s one of the main reasons I look forward to coming here with all of you each morning. I feel a closeness as we all sit here in different parts of the world reading God‘s word “together”. And I know my heart that we are all praying for one another. Praying for you today Momtomany.
Me,too! Love sharing this with sisters I have yet to meet! Happy Friday to you all!♥️
This is my happy place to start the day.
My hiding place.
As I sit on my screened-in porch this morning listening to the wind howling through the trees outside, I feel safe from the weather outside.
Thank you God that you are my fortress today as the storms of life swirl around me in this journey called life. You are so faithful. You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
This was an amazing reminder today. I feel like so often when I’m scared, or going through something rough, sometimes it’s hard to seek God out, and believe he is my safe space. I tend to get caught up in my troubles. Lately I’ve been in a Crohn’s flare and honestly I was scared to pray about it, I was scared to pray that bold prayer for healing. I am so thankful to be recovering, and that I have great people praying for me. I also have been getting back into God’s words daily, and seeking him out. I’m so thankful for our amazing God who offered himself as our fortress.
Praying for you.
Praying for you too. Don’t be afraid and keep seeking Him. I know I feel afraid of so many things too. I know that I feel better after reading the truth of His Word. He is more powerful than anything or anyone! He is faithful and trustworthy no matter the outcome He will turn and use it for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I need to also remember that He loves you and all of us with an everlasting love. Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministry says that He is good and good at being God! When I think of it that way, I feel a sense of comfort and awe that He’s got it all in control even when I don’t understand or feel Him.
We can always trust God and always go to Him.
Amen!
After reading this and many more like it you can take a deep breath and feel relief, refreshment, and release. God is so intimate a faithful! What a praise it is to know him and be known by him!
He is an on time God!!!!!! I woke up feeling restless (in the mist of a hard time) and this was the reading for today. I love my Heavenly Father.
Shawna, praying for your rough seas to be calmed. Lean on Him, pray for peace, He will deliver. God Bless
Praying for you Shawna. Boy do I know about those restless sleep. And I will pray for you!
Thank you Lord God that you are MY Metsudah…my refuge, my fortess… my hiding place..
Thank you Lord God that you have been there for me… yesterday, i know you will be there today and for sure tomorrow… ever ready, ever present in my time of need and or help.
Psalm 139 says.. where could I go to escape you.. Where could I get away from your presence..(to be honest, why would I)…
…
YOU would be there to lead me, YOU would be there to help me..
YOU would be there…
YOU would be there…
YOU would be there…
Thank you that you are MY refuge and fortress, my Machseh, before I even know … that is the awesomeness of you Lord God..
Ever present and loving God thank you.. Thank you. Thank you that no matter my son, my troubles, my waywardness YOU are ever faithful and true. Thank you God..
Thank you..
Amen.
Praying you find refuge in Him who is forever faithful, forever our fortress… our Metsudah…
Sending love across the pond…
HAPPY weekend ma Dears.. ❤
Ditto!
Such a sweet prayer!
Happy weekend to you as well Tina. Your words are always inspiring. Praying for you sister across the pond.
He is my Protector.