A Secure Fortress
Journal 2005 03 04
A Secure Fortress
As stirring from a deep winter slumber the people on the prairie are bustling with movement.
The temperature continues to be around forty and a new year is anticipated.
Visitors from the trading companies are out and about meeting with the tribes and the Captains. Tribes seem to send members between themselves for many different reasons. The rumor of the Sioux tribes declaring death to all white men seems to be gaining credibility. The seemingly friendly Assinboine tribe attempts to steal horses from the Mandans but are driven off by gunfire from the primitive muskets wielded by the Mandans.
Not all the work and all effort is honorable. Fort Mandan had a fence to enhance security and provide a residence, a point of living, founded in strength. The word fort is defined by strength. The Indians erected their villages in a manner that enhanced their security. And you’ve heard it said many times, “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” Eternal vigilance is also required for some form of security.
Guards are posted on the walls and charged to be on constant alert to any and all attempts to penetrate the strength of the fort. The usual punishment for sleeping while on guard duty is court martial and the death penalty. Why so harsh a penalty? Everyone inside the fort is vulnerable and the guard must be alert.
As we stir from the dormancy of winter, are we vigilant to the increased activity around us? Do we see the attempts of the enemy to steal our “horses”? Have we posted guards to be on alert to the attempts of those who come under the authority of our enemies to weaken and defeat us? Do we understand the simple fact that all who come with open arms are not our friends?
As activity increases around us and we busy ourselves with the work of life, make a renewed effort to examine your “fortress” for sound construction and proper security measures that you may be eternally vigilant in the guarding of that which you are responsible for.
It starts with your own heart, for out of that flow the issues of life. It moves to your immediate physical surroundings. You men are given charge over your family and are responsible for their security. We are responsible for the Kingdom of God taking hold in our church, community and nation “that the people would be blessed.”
Today is a good day to examine, review and allow the Holy Spirit to establish a plan for us to lift up the Name of the Lord as the center of our security, a strong tower where all can run and be safe. Our security, and all security, ultimately rests in Him.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
A Secure Fortress
As stirring from a deep winter slumber the people on the prairie are bustling with movement.
The temperature continues to be around forty and a new year is anticipated.
Visitors from the trading companies are out and about meeting with the tribes and the Captains. Tribes seem to send members between themselves for many different reasons. The rumor of the Sioux tribes declaring death to all white men seems to be gaining credibility. The seemingly friendly Assinboine tribe attempts to steal horses from the Mandans but are driven off by gunfire from the primitive muskets wielded by the Mandans.
Not all the work and all effort is honorable. Fort Mandan had a fence to enhance security and provide a residence, a point of living, founded in strength. The word fort is defined by strength. The Indians erected their villages in a manner that enhanced their security. And you’ve heard it said many times, “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” Eternal vigilance is also required for some form of security.
Guards are posted on the walls and charged to be on constant alert to any and all attempts to penetrate the strength of the fort. The usual punishment for sleeping while on guard duty is court martial and the death penalty. Why so harsh a penalty? Everyone inside the fort is vulnerable and the guard must be alert.
As we stir from the dormancy of winter, are we vigilant to the increased activity around us? Do we see the attempts of the enemy to steal our “horses”? Have we posted guards to be on alert to the attempts of those who come under the authority of our enemies to weaken and defeat us? Do we understand the simple fact that all who come with open arms are not our friends?
As activity increases around us and we busy ourselves with the work of life, make a renewed effort to examine your “fortress” for sound construction and proper security measures that you may be eternally vigilant in the guarding of that which you are responsible for.
It starts with your own heart, for out of that flow the issues of life. It moves to your immediate physical surroundings. You men are given charge over your family and are responsible for their security. We are responsible for the Kingdom of God taking hold in our church, community and nation “that the people would be blessed.”
Today is a good day to examine, review and allow the Holy Spirit to establish a plan for us to lift up the Name of the Lord as the center of our security, a strong tower where all can run and be safe. Our security, and all security, ultimately rests in Him.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 10:18 PM
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