CHRISTIAN HOPE

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;

and He knows those who trust in Him. NAHUM 1:7

Nahum is the prophet who prophesied the fall of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital. But during the doom and gloom of his book, there arises a reminder that God is a good God and He knows those who are His. In fact, Nahum revealed Jesus is a Stronghold, a haven into which you and I may run in our own day of trouble. King Solomon earlier echoed these words, saying, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

In biblical times kings-built fortresses, called “strongholds,” where, if necessary, they could retreat and be able to defend themselves and stave oof enemies. One of the great builders of history was the first-century Judean king, Herold the Great. To this day, his protective stronghold, the Herodian, can be visited in the Judean hills south of Bethlehem. But his most magnificent accomplishment was Masada down in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea. Located high atop a tall mountain, he built a three-tiered palace on the cliffs of its northern edge. This entire fortress was completely self-sustaining, consisting of large water cisterns, aqueducts, agricultural areas, storage rooms Roman baths, and even a synagogue.

Masada, a popular tourist attraction today in Israel, is best known for what took place there almost two thousand years ago. When Titus and his Roman legions besieged the city of Jerusalem in AD 70, a small band of nine hundred Jewish zealots escaped the burning city and fled to the stronghold of Masada. Upon hearing this, the Roman army made its way there and encircled the mountain stronghold. To this very day, the remnants of their camps can be seen around the base of this huge mountain. The Jews held out on top of the fortress of Masada for three years. It was their stronghold in their time of trouble.

Where do you flee when you need refuge? In the days of King David, we find him time and again fleeing to one of his strongholds, saying, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:9-10). He added, “the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). We, too, have a stronghold when trouble comes.

The Lord is our stronghold. We can take refuge in Him. The night before the crucifixion, Jesus said, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20). Your stronghold is not in what you are, or who you are, why you are, but where you are.

Jesus told us that He is positioned “in My Father.” Then, in next breath, He revealed that” you are in Me”. Stop just a moment and think about that. He is your stronghold, and you are in Him, which is a very safe place to be. If you are in Christ and He is in the Father, then nothing can get to you that doesn’t first have to pass through God the Father and God the on to reach you. And if it penetrates that fortress, you can rest in the fact that there is a purpose for it to be in your life.

But that is not all. Jesus continued, “And I am in you.” Can you see it? Christ is taking care of the outside of you, and He is also taking care of the inside of you. What better place to find your refuge? Nahum described Him as your stronghold, your place of refuge and safety in the day of trouble.

We are left with three important reminders in Nahum 1: 7: First, the Lord is good. He is a good God and desires to bless us. Second, He knows those who trust in Him. He knows you and loves you. And lastly, He is a stronghold in the day of trouble. He is waiting for you to run to Him! And, as He promised, He will never leave you or forsake you.