Battles rage around us, but must they rage with in the walls of our own homes? In Christ is there hope, refuge and strength at home. We may not know what it looks like and feels like, but Christ has miracles waiting to take place so our homes can be our fortress, the holy walls that allow us to flee from all that rages outside the walls. When did the home turn into the battle ground?  When did working together give way to “me against my spouse” mentality, where my spouse is the enemy?  When did competition become a necessity for survival in one’s own home? 

David writes this beautiful Psalm which reflects on God, our fortress.  For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:1-7

We need the fortress God provides around the walls of our homes, so we can refresh, regroup, be reenergized and be revitalized for work in this battle-weary world.  When we injure our spouse, we injure ourselves because we are one with one another.  When we harbor anger against them, we give into the ordinary, the way of the world.  When we live in fear, we buckle against the enemy’s schemes. 

We need the fortress God provides around our hearts so we can refresh, regroup, be reenergized and be revitalized for work in this battle-weary world.  When our hearts and homes are safe to the extraordinary work of Christ, our lives are open to God’s work in us and through us.  When our hearts feel safe, we can express ourselves fully as God intended.  When our hearts feel in danger, we protect ourselves, believing that the fortress we build is better than the fortress God has in mind.  God’s fortress of protection leads to openness and healing.

Intimacy between husbands and wives can be expressed without fear of the damage of battle and the scars it brings.  In safety, the woman is free to literally open herself to her husband without the mentality of the spouse as the enemy.  When husbands and wives open themselves to one another in the safety of their God-designed fortress, their home, they are free to open themselves to their children, to their neighbors, to their world.  Only in and through the forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus is this miracle of openness, wholeness and healing possible. If you have experienced this mercy and forgiveness, please reach out and teach others what this looks and feels like.  If you have not experienced this, please reach out to a trusted individual of the same sex who can guide you into Christ’s healing mercy.

David knew where to flee for mercy, to the fortress, the rock, God his refuge and strength.  May God grant us courage to cling to the fortress he has created for us in Christ Jesus and live in that safety in our homes.  May God grant us boldness to proclaim that mercy to those with whom we are the closest, most intimate with.  May the peace and joy that passes understanding, Christ Jesus himself, step into our war-ravaged lives and touch us deeply so that we may truly reach out in that peace and joy.  Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

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