Men's Moments - August 2025

By Bob Wilson

“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

       When I think back at some of the things I played at as a child with my imagination, there was always a place of security.  As a cowboy fighting Indians there had to be a fort.  When there were hay bales in the barn where we lived, we arranged them into a hiding place to protect us from imaginary foes.  When we explored the Amazon jungle, (our woods) we had a tree fort. 

      My imagination was passed down to my two kids.  G.I. Joe figures had to have some kind of vehicle to protect them from Cobra.  We had a hovercraft, a speed boat, helicopter with twin escape pods, and a stronghold on stilts to come back to after the battles were done. 

      As the kids started having their own children, a lot of the toys were passed down to them.  There were two castles with knights.  One was the Lion Castle and the other the Dragon Castle.  When we went to basement where all this stuff was stored, there were always arguing about who got what.  There were always advantages that one had over the other.

     I decided we needed a common foe.  That’s when pirates entered the picture with their own ships, treasure, and strongholds.  The kids always wanted me to play with them and develop a story so that everyone could be included.  I was always happy to oblige. 

Now as a grandfather I wish I could still develop a story for them and their lives.  I think though that work has already been done.  Object lessons passed down from my parents to me and then passing them on to my children and then on to theirs is on-going. 

As Christian adults we have a place of refuge. A stronghold that the enemy can never penetrate.  In childlike terms it’s FORT GOD.  When we are under attack from the enemy, you can abide in its security.  Within its walls we can rest secure from all fear.  What do you fear today? Can you find a promise in the word of God that will compel you to run to his protection. 

“He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.”  Whenever fear raises its head, we can be confident because with God beside us, behind us, and before us, we can say farewell to fear.