Power belongs to God, and it is not merely that He is powerful, but that all power is His possession to use and distribute as He wills. We must know and believe this truth in a practical way to make the best use of His merciful warnings. A firm conviction in God's ever-present power provides the right perspective to not only endure challenging times but to grow, overcome, and witness for Him in the very best way. He is the unseen power directing events to the conclusions He desires, and these conclusions will certainly come to pass. In Psalm 59, David, facing a dire situation, calls God his strength, finding confidence in God's power and mercy. He recognizes that God's strength is sufficient to put down nations, let alone a small band of adversaries, and finds safety in Him. David's faith is affirmed as he trusts in God's power, combining strength with mercy, to uphold him. In Psalm 62, David instructs us from his personal experiences to give God our fullest trust, especially as trouble on a scale never seen before is building. He describes God as our salvation, our deliverer from trouble, urging us to turn to Him first in times of need. David calls God our Rock, a source of stability; our Defense, deflecting attacks in ways no human can; our Glory, in whom we take pride; and our Refuge, a place of unqualified safety in any circumstance. He exhorts us to pray to God for help, affirming five times in this brief psalm that God is the only sure place of refuge. David declares in Psalm 62:11 that power belongs to God, emphasizing that all power flows from Him, and He gives it to whomsoever He wills. No one can fight or argue against God's decisions, as He upholds all things and decides the outcome of every situation. Power encompasses not just brute force but also intellect, wisdom, understanding, vision, logic, energy, eloquence, authority, mercy, and countless other faculties. There is no help like Him anywhere, as no other source can match the awesome package of powers He possesses to aid us in our time of need. David suggests that when in trouble, we should go directly to the top, seeking God first before turning to human resources. He adds that God is just, rendering to everyone according to their deeds, and is also merciful, embodying the pinnacle of love. This love, shed abroad in our hearts by His Spirit, enables us to keep His commandments as He intends. Thus, God's power to act in behalf of His purposes forms the very foundation of our faith in Him, making Him the most trustworthy being to whom we can turn.

Moses begins his song by proclaiming the name of the Lord and ascribing greatness to Him, declaring, "He is the Rock." This image of God as The Rock holds preeminence, suggesting aspects of perfection, justice, truth, and righteousness. When the Israelites thought of God as The Rock, qualities such as enduring, unchanging, massive, majestic, awesome, strong, solid, stable, reliable, and beautiful came to mind. These reflect His eternity, permanence, greatness, transcendence, power, faithfulness, and holy, righteous character. While other peoples considered their gods to be rocks, producing societies filled with disappointment, oppression, destruction, violence, cursing, and death, God, Our Rock, shows compassion on His servants. He gives blessings and produces good fruit, capable of creating a prosperous, bountiful, and peaceful society if followed. The Rock also reminds of God as Creator, both Father and Mother to Israel, solely responsible for their creation without any collaborator or foreign god. In the rugged landscapes of Israel and the Sinai wilderness, rocks provided safety and deliverance, becoming metaphors for salvation. David saw God as The Rock, not just for physical protection but as a complete defense, both offensive and defensive. He trusted in God's strength to protect him, viewing Him as an impregnable fortress and a massive wall against enemies. David also saw The Rock as a goal, a place of safety and an eternal inheritance for those who fear God. God is the Rock of Ages, the Eternal Rock, leading to a higher state of being. As seen in the miracle of water gushing from the rock at Horeb, sustaining Israel, God provides abundantly for His people. This water, flowing from The Rock, Jesus Christ, symbolizes the Holy Spirit, sustaining each believer and enabling a godly life toward eternal life. Jesus Christ is The Rock on which the church of God is founded, a sure foundation that withstands any storm. To the disobedient, however, He is a Rock of Offense, an obstruction causing stumbling and injury. In a future aspect, The Rock becomes a Stone cut without hands, smiting nations in judgment and destruction for those who reject Him. Yet, for His people, He remains the Awesome, Majestic Rock of Ages, embodying strength, protection, and eternal promise.

God is our strength, a truth vividly shown through Samson's life. When Samson faced utter exhaustion and dehydration after his battle, he realized his human limits and turned to God in desperate prayer. He acknowledged his dependence, pleading for salvation from death at the hands of his enemies, recognizing that only God could sustain him. In response, God immediately provided a spring of water in a hollow place at Lehi, reviving Samson's spirit and granting him new life. This act of divine intervention taught Samson that even his great strength was nothing without God's support. From this moment, he understood his role as God's servant, called to deliver Israel, and he commemorated this lesson by naming the spring Caller's Spring, a reminder that when one calls upon God, He answers. This profound realization enabled Samson to faithfully judge Israel for twenty years, grounded in the strength that comes from God alone.

God is our strength and refuge, a constant source of safety in times of trouble and violence from our enemies. Jesus Christ, as our Savior, shields our minds spiritually when we place our trust in Him. Unlike the cities of refuge in ancient Israel, which required a desperate race to reach safety, Christ is always at hand, offering immediate protection and hope. His presence with us at all times is a profound miracle, ensuring that we are never without a sanctuary. Christ's role as our refuge parallels the purpose of the cities of refuge, which were designed to be accessible and open to all, reflecting a universal code of justice. Just as those cities provided safety for both Israelites and foreigners, the salvation available in Jesus Christ is ultimately for everyone, regardless of background or status. His doors are always spiritually open, welcoming all whom God calls into a relationship of peace and security. Moreover, Christ embodies the strength needed to bear our burdens, much like the symbolic meanings of the refuge cities. He provides the spiritual vitality to overcome sin and fulfill our responsibilities, strengthening us with the bread of life to glorify God and serve others. As our fortress, Christ offers promised spiritual protection during times of crisis, ensuring safety until His return. His exaltation as King of kings signifies the ultimate victory and glorification of His saints, while His reign brings unprecedented peace, prosperity, and joy, mirroring the rejoicing associated with the Feast of Tabernacles. In every aspect, Jesus Christ stands as our eternal refuge, our hope, and our High Priest, anchoring us with steadfast assurance. His presence transforms our understanding of safety, making God not a distant stranger but a friend to all who answer His call in faith. Through Christ, we find the strength to endure, the security of a fortified place, and the joy of a promised Kingdom, always under the protective care of our God.

In the midst of Israel's oppression by the Midianites, the people cried out to God, and He responded with strength and guidance. He sent a prophet to remind them of His past deliverance from Egypt, showcasing His mighty hand in their history. The prophet declared that God had brought them into the land, clearing out their enemies, and emphasized that He is strong on their behalf, always ready to be their strength. He urged them not to fear the gods of the Amorites, asserting that there is no reason to dread false deities, for God is far stronger. Despite their disobedience and unfaithfulness to the covenant, which brought the Midianite curse upon them, God's presence remained a source of power. When God called Gideon, He addressed him as a mighty man of valor, looking forward to what he would become with divine strength. He assured Gideon that He would be with him, promising that he would defeat the Midianites as one man, demonstrating that God's power is sufficient even against overwhelming odds. God's assurance to Gideon was clear: with Him at his side, one man is enough to triumph, for His power can overcome any enemy. Gideon's faith had to rest in God's promise of unlimited strength to accomplish the task, transforming him into a one-man army through divine might. God further refined His army by selecting only 300 men from thousands, choosing those who were alert and watchful, embodying the readiness He desires. These men, standing firm with their eyes open to reality, were equipped to face the Midianites under God's direction. In the battle, God orchestrated the victory, causing confusion among the enemy so that they fought each other, while the 300 stood firm, holding their lights and making noise with trumpets. The triumph was God's alone, showing that His strength works through those who trust and obey Him. The lesson of Gideon and his 300 is a call to be strong in God's grace, to focus faith solely on Him, and not to seek help elsewhere. God is with us, enabling us to boldly put spiritual enemies to flight and live obediently before Him. As He was with Gideon, He promises to be our strength, urging us to overcome fear, to watch, and to work with courage, for He is ever-ready to bestow His power upon us.

God is our ultimate refuge and strength, a sanctuary for His covenant people. As portrayed in the Psalms, He is often depicted as a rock, wings, a fortress, and a strong tower, offering safety and protection from danger. His presence provides relief after stress and defense against enemies, embodying security for all who seek Him. In the context of the Feast of Tabernacles, which symbolizes our calling out of the wilderness into a church relationship of safety, Christ stands as the refuge for the entire church. As we come to the Feast for spiritual refuge in Him, our responsibility is to make this experience a refuge for others, reflecting His grace and protection. The cities of refuge, established by His command, serve as a historical and spiritual example of His provision for safety and justice, ensuring that the land remains unpolluted by unjust bloodshed. Through these cities, He demonstrates His faithfulness and strength, providing a way for Israel to live with a holy God despite their failures. Ultimately, His promise of refuge extends beyond the physical to the spiritual, fulfilled in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, offering salvation and peace to all who submit to their Creator.