It seems as if Thanksgiving was a long time ago, but it has been a week. I think the emphasis on black friday by the media hurtles us face first into the Christmas season. I hope you had a great time being thankful.

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it, and they are safe." {Proverbs 18:10}

This verse was a song we sang a lot when I was at the Bible School, Christ for the Nations. It has remained with me because of that, but also since it is such an important verse. As we pray, and battle against spiritual wickedness we need to be able to reference verses like this quickly. I have always loved music, and as a christian, I love it even more because of the speed in which it will bring to my memory a verse that is powerful. 

As I look further into Proverbs 18:10, I notice that the New International version uses  fortified,  instead of strong,which in the Webster's dictionary, means to strengthen against attack. Other versions use fortress instead of tower, but the meaning is the same.
These structures were built to withstand many battles, and could be several feet thick.The people who lived outside the walls of the cities, would have to move quickly to get in behind the wall before an attack. It was safer to live within the confines of the wall than to be left vulnerable on the outside.

 Years ago, as I visited Scotland with my Grandmother, we stayed in Castles across the country. One castle just outside of Edinburgh was fired upon when Anne Boleyn was hiding out from King Henry the 8th. After two days of attack, the weak cannon balls hardly made a dent in the 6 foot walls. How much more, is the power of Christ, in us, as we live in the confines of His loving care. I don't want to be on the outside wishing I was on the inside, and I'm sure you don't want to be outside either.

No one who realizes the power of God and the ploys of the enemy would choose to be on the outside. The enemy of our souls can be cunning, tricky, and very aware of our weaknesses, and try to pull us out from behind the wall of safety. Reading the Word of God, praying and regular fellowship with believers holds us strong against any attack.Confessing our failures and asking for prayer for our weaknesses prepares us for anything that the enemy could throw at us. As a woman of God, be sure to include these disciplines in your life as much as possible. 

I remember a quote from Martin Luther that says this:" I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer." Martin Luther knew that he would be most productive in his daily schedule if he prayed before the day got away. Help me Lord, not to be pressed for time to get the most important things done, but help me see that communion with you must come before all things. Amen.