A Stronghold, and a Strong Hold

YES, two strongholds, and our precious Lord Jesus Christ is both. He is a Stronghold (a walled city, Num. 13:19-2819And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. 21So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. 22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. 24The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. 25And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. 26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. (Numbers 13:19‑28)) for safety, from sin and Satan and eternal death. By His grace given to us we can run in to Him our Stronghold; as it says in Zechariah 9:12,12Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; (Zechariah 9:12) “Turn you to the stronghold ye prisoners of hope.... I will render double unto thee”; double, first, for your shame iniquity pardoned; second, everlasting joy for comfort (see Isaiah 40:22Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:2) and Isa. 61:77For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. (Isaiah 61:7)).
As a strong-hold He “is a nail in a sure place.” This anecdote will illustrate a sure place: — I wanted to hang a picture, and the carpenter struck in a nail. “No,” said he, “it is plaster; not strong enough.” But when he had knocked the nail into the wood, he put up both hands, and swung himself on it, saying “It has a good hold now, ma’am.” So in Isaiah 22:23,23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. (Isaiah 22:23) the Word says of Himself: “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place, and they shall hang on him all the glory of his Father’s house ... from the vessels of cups to all the vessels of flagons.”
So dear reader, both you and I can hang on our Stronghold as the Prayer Book version of the 63rd Psalm says: “My soul hangeth upon thee and thy right hand upholdeth me.” Yes, we are safe whichever way, for He is our Stronghold and Strong-hold.
E. P. L.