The topic of this particular strategy really got my attention because of the word
Fortify. When I think of the word...
Fortify, several word phrases come to my mind. Phrases that say something like: "We need some reinforcement" or "We can strengthen this with added support." Reinforce and strengthen are powerful words; in fact, they are found within the definition of the word
Fortify. The word Fortify means: To strengthen with defensive works so as to protect someone or something against attack; to add to (reinforce) for the purpose of strengthening or enriching.
In this chapter the author gives us insight and understanding of why we need to fortify our families, as well as strategies to help us accomplish the task. She first validates the importance of marriage and family. She then spotlights the reasons why our marriages and families are always under attack.
Marriage, which was instituted by God, involves the husband and wife loving each other in such a way that others can have a visible, tangible example of the type of love that Christ has for His bride the Church. Now the benefit of this love relationship is that it's designed to bring about reproduction or the birthing of children into the picture so that a family is established and used to continue the heritage of God in the earth. As this Godly heritage is multiplied, it is intensely despised in the eyes of our enemy, satan; So he works diligently to destroy it by attacking our families wherever and whenever he can. BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS: God has given us a formidable defensive work. The word formidable is defined as: That which inspires fear or respect through being Impressively Large, Powerful, Intense, or Capable.
So what is this Formidable Defensive Work?
It is PROACTIVE....FERVENT....WORD BASED.....PRAYER!! Psalms 34:17 reads: "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." The power of prayer in the mouths of the righteous was designed by God for our protection and deliverance.
As the author concludes this chapter, she presents a call to prayer and encourages each of us to journal our prayers along with specific scriptures as a reminder of what we have prayed as well as how God has answered. As I finished this particular chapter, I came away with this specific reminder.
Note To Self: I Must Daily Use The Weapon Of Prayer to Strengthen, Protect and Fortify My Family and Loved Ones against the attacks of the enemy.
May we all accept this challenge to do so.
