A couple of years ago my husband and I visited St Augustine, Florida.
St. Augustine claims to be the oldest city in the United States.
One of our favorite spots in the city was the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest stone fortress in the continental United States.
Built in 1672 when Florida was still part of the Spanish Empire, it was a military fort until 1821 when Spain ceded Florida to the United States. (Wow! I just impressed myself with this brief history lesson!)
Protection from attack
We stared in amazement at the fort’s limestone walls, all constructed by hand and some up to fourteen feet wide!
Limestone is soft and porous. So, canon balls aimed at the fort were embedded into the walls.
As a result, limestone made the fort basically impenetrable. (By contrast, walls of harder stone would have shattered when struck by enemy fire.)
We looked out over the harbor from the top of the fort, and I wondered what it must have been like to live in St. Augustine when the city was under attack. Without a doubt, I’d have sought protection deep inside that fortress.
But I certainly wouldn’t run to the fort for protection now.
Time has taken its toll. Today the ancient fortress is no match for the kind of military planes, weaponry, and offensive tactics used by enemy forces today.
WHEN LIFE GETS HARD
That’s the only kind of protection we can build for ourselves.
No matter how hard we work to protect ourselves from all of life’s hardships, we can’t.
The Bible says if we think we’ve got what it takes to fortify ourselves, we’re dreaming:
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
When life comes at us, money and stuff can’t give us the protection we need. No matter how much we have, we’re vulnerable.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH STUFF WE HAVE, WHEN LIFE GETS HARD IT’S NOT ENOUGH
When the unthinkable happens and you’re awash in grief and sorrow…
At the moment disappointment rocks your world…
When you glance back at your life and wonder if it really counted…
At the moment you face death…
All the stuff and money and insurance in the world won’t bring you the comfort and security you need.
But the Bible tells us clearly where we can know we’re safe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
The name of the Lord is everything He is.
- His character.
- His promises.
- His sovereignty.
- His strength.
God is the Creator and Sustainer of all the Universe. He made everything and He holds it all together. So, nothing can happen without His permission.
When the citizens of St. Augustine took refuge at the Castillo de San Antonio, they were safe. The enemy couldn’t penetrate those thick limestone walls to get to them.
They had all the protection they needed.
WHEN LIFE GETS HARD, WE’RE SAFE IN JESUS.
We can make money. And we should.
We can buy insurance. And we should.
But when tragedy strikes… when health fails… when temptations come… only in our imaginations will our money give us all the protection we need.
When life comes at us, we need protection that will stand up.
In Jesus Christ we have an everlasting refuge that will never crumble.
No matter what life brings our way, He will provide the protection, peace, joy and purpose we need.
Nothing in this entire world can overtake Him.
Nothing can circumvent His plans.
No one can overthrow His purposes.
No matter what happens, He is our impenetrable refuge.
This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
Psalm 91:2
What hard thing are you facing in your life right now? What’s causing stress or anxiety? Are there regrets that haunt you? A future you’re fearful of?
Will you put aside everything else you’ve used to try to fix/defend/overcome that issue and run to Jesus? He is there for you. He is sovereign and all-powerful. His arms are stretched out wide for you.
Run to Him.
He’s your refuge.
For a copy of my favorite Bible verses about God’s protection, simply click here.
Love this post! Thanks for the visual context too. xoxox
Thanks, Kim!
❤️
Amen!!! Love this post, Cindy!!! I finally found time to read your blog and I love it!!!
Thanks so much, Kathy! That means the world to me!