HIGH GROUND
For thousands of years armies have used high ground to their advantage in battle….to both defend and conquer territory.
In The Art of War Sun Tzus recommends that military leaders take high ground and let the enemy try to attack from a lower position.
- High ground offers a wide field of view, enabling surveillance of the surrounding landscape.
- Soldiers fighting uphill will tire more quickly and will move more slowly.
- Soldiers who are elevated above their enemies can get greater range out of low-speed projectiles like rocks, javelins, and grenades.
Running to and finding safety in high ground is not a sign of weakness.
It’s a sign of wisdom.
It serves to not only help you defend your existing territory but improves your odds of taking new territory.
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YOUR “HIGH PLACE” IN SUFFERING AND GAIN
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock,
in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Psalm 18:10
Going to “the high place” is critical in our own lives. We need to go there regardless – but especially in two situations:
- As an offensive refuge when we are called, by God, to conquer new lands or when we sense something new around the corner.
- As a defensive refuge when we are facing a strong enemy or as a defense against our own sinful desires.
When bad things come our way, however, we often expect that God will remove us from any evil and battles.
Oswald Chambers offers a different view.
“The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different.”
8/2 My Utmost for His Highest
So the verses about God being our strength, our refuge and our fortress are what keep us strong and steady in and through adversity. The words stronghold and fortress imply “a secure height, retreat, lofty stronghold, unassailable”.
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NO FEAR
And as we face the battles of life in His fortress, He tells us not to fear. In the face of suffering, pain, terrible news, death and calamity, the Psalms tell us something important:
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and
though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah.”
Psalms 46: 2-3
The words are clear….we are not to fear when the earth is falling part…when our lives are falling apart. 
We can successfully avoid fear because we can place our trust solidly in His safe refuge. The word refuge used above means impenetrable fortress, high and lofty; an unreachable high tower.
Friends, this towering and powerful image of an impenetrable fortress is a picture of God Himself and how He protects us and provides for us in the midst of suffering. He protects our hearts, our minds and our will….not always our bodies.
Joyfully, I remind you….this is the God we serve.
His home is lofty.
His tower is unreachable by enemy forces.
He is a safe refuge for us.
No enemy can defeat His tall position.
Everything is below Him.
Do you believe that? Do you want to believe that more in your heart?
PRAYER
“Lord Jesus, give me faith to believe in this about you…that you are my High Tower, solidly trustworthy. Give me faith to acknowledge You and Your power and Your impenetrable fortress even when the world is crumbling around me. Humble my heart Lord to listen and follow You in obedience. I desire You as my only refuge and I decry all the fake refuges I used to take. Help me to know You as a safe tall tower. I desire Your comfort and protection for fending off enemy and for plowing new ground in my life. You alone are able to calm the seas. Come oh Lord please come now as the storms rise against me. In Jesus name, Amen”
