Jesus my Fortress
15 March 2021
Isaiah 64:1-12
Maharashtra the state where we live, is a land of forts. There are about 500 documented forts – both big and small. Emperor Shivaji used these forts to protect himself from the wrath and rage of the Mughals. Once invincible, today, almost all the forts lie in a state of ruin and desolation.
The prophet Isaiah in the above chapter paints a similar picture of ruin and desolation both in the individual lives of Israelites and in the nation Israel. The people of Israel believed that their righteous acts – their external display of piety, their temple worship, their almsgiving etc – would be a secure fortress to protect them from the wrath of God on the Day of Judgment. But, in the sight of God, all our righteous acts are like filthy rags, and are like forts built with sand that will be razed to the ground on the day of God’s judgment. As a nation, Israel put their confidence in the holy city of Jerusalem and on the temple. They truly believed that the presence of God’s temple will protect them from ruin and destruction. But the temple itself was burnt down and their holy cities became desolate when God’s wrath was poured on the nation Israel.
Oh! In which fortress shall we hide from the fierce wrath of God on the day of Judgment. Who can protect us from the just fury of God against our iniquity? 2000 years ago, Jesus the Son of God hung helplessly on a cruel cross, His body broken and brutalized, was crushed and condemned. He who did no sin took on Himself all of our sin and endured the just wrath of God against sin. Can that helpless, hapless being on the cross, ever be our fortress against the wrath of God ? Yes, Oh Yes and a thousand times Yes , for God raised Jesus from the dead victorious over Death, Sin, Hell, and “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” “and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth” and therefore “ there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Oh !! What a Saviour . Jesus, be thou our only fortress in which we take refuge, on the day of God’s Judgement .
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Charles Wesley