“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
-Psalms 91:2
In 1754, during the Seven Years’ War (a.k.a. The French and Indian War), a young twenty-two-year-old Colonel for British colonial forces by the name of George Washington, commanded his troops to build a fort out of necessity in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and named it, of all things, Fort Necessity. It was erected very quickly, taking only about three weeks to complete.
The French had established a string of forts in the Ohio River Valley, including Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh), which posed a threat to British colonial expansion and trade. Building Fort Necessity was an attempt by Washington to counterbalance the French presence and assert British control in the region.
But history tells us there was another reason as well: It was also erected to, and perhaps more aptly, to defend supplies in the fort’s storehouse from Washington’s own men, whom he described as “loose and idle”, than as a planned defense against a hostile enemy.
Have you ever been “loose and idle?” I sure have. And it’s a dangerous thing. We often drop our guard when we need to be diligent in our Christian walk.
A good example is the effects that the COVID-19 epidemic has had on weakening our diligence. Consider these trends:
There has been a marked increase in the consumption of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and others. Streaming platforms have seen a surge in new subscribers and higher viewership as individuals have sought entertainment and distraction during the pandemic. Entertainment and distraction – looseness and idleness.
Alcohol and substance abuse has increased. For some individuals, increased anxiety, isolation, and boredom during lockdowns have contributed to higher alcohol consumption or substance abuse as a coping mechanism. The significant impact of mental health issues; uncertainty, fear, and social isolation associated with COVID-19 have contributed to increased stress, anxiety, and depression for many people. The looseness and idleness brought on by lockdowns have led many individuals to turn to alcohol or substances as a way to self-medicate or temporarily alleviate their emotional distress.
Work-from-home culture and lifestyle changes: The shift to a remote work-from-home for many and increased time spent at home due to lockdown measures may have altered daily routines and led to changes in lifestyle habits. Individuals may have found themselves with additional free time, which could be spent engaging in streaming, including alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
In times such as these, we Christ-followers may need to construct a fort of necessity. Proverbs 25:28 tells us: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” The psalmist wrote these words of inspiration for us: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Ps 91).”
The good news is that God has already constructed a fort for us where we can take refuge. His promise is that when we choose to dwell in His shelter, we will rest in His presence. Allow me to reiterate this: When we choose God’s fort, we will rest. But dwelling in the shelter of the Almighty is a choice we must make. God does not make it for us.
Psalms 91 goes on to say “He will save you from the fowler’s snare.” A fowler is a bird catcher and a snare is a type of slip knot. When we choose to dwell with God in His fort of necessity, He will keep us from getting snared into looseness and idleness. He will not let the slip knot form a noose around our neck, choking us from the rest we so desperately need. In verse 9 we find these words: “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you.”
If we “say” and “make” we will be free of harm, including self-harm. We must not only “say”, but we must also “make” – a statement and a decision. A declaration without a decision is not discipleship; it’s hypocrisy … a form of denial that will lead us down a path of delusion.
God has built the fort for us and He has given us free will; the choice to enter His rest, or resort to our own looseness and idleness. God has given us His Spirit, one that gives us the self-discipline to, by our volition, come inside (2 Ti 1:7).”
Will you choose to come inside and escape the fowler’s snare of looseness and idleness?
Are you a business owner, executive, or other professional looking to grow your business and improve your life? If so, see how Bill and his firm might be able to help you: Northstar Leadership