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Day 355

Psalm 89:40b "You have brought his strongholds to ruin."

Day 355 – Psalm 89

“You have brought his strongholds to ruin.” Psalm 89:40b

ANCIENT DEFENCES

In the days of Ethan the Ezrahite, the land was ruled by kings. Every nation had his own king. The good and wise king would see to the defence of his cities by erecting “strongholds”.

“You have broken down all his hedges,
You have brought all his strongholds to ruin.”
Psalm 89:40

1. Hedges and strongholds

a) These could be fortresses
b) These would be well-fortified
c) High walls were often erected around major cities

2. Building of strongholds

a) King Uzziah was a great builder of strongholds 2 Chronicles 26:1-15
b) Unfortunately after he became very strong, arrogance filled his heart 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
c) He was struck with leprosy because his foolish pride caused him to commit sacrilege

3. God’s punitive action

a) He broke down all the hedges
b) He brought all the strongholds to ruin

TRUE AND FALSE SECURITY

What kind of defences ought to have been erected? The descendants of David should have studied their forefather understood the true defence system of Judah. It was never in mere physical strongholds and hedges. Let us recall these famous words of King David.

“And he said,
‘The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Saviour, You save me from violence.'”
2 Samuel 22:2-3

Ethan had (temporarily) lost sight of the true security of the nation. It was not the “hedges” and “strongholds” that the king built! The true defence of the nation lay in the LORD God Himself.