A Fortress of Help and Strength
As I wrapped up my workday, I was just getting ready to switch my phone to the answering service when it rang. I glanced at the screen—an unfamiliar number from the 530 area code. Out of habit, I put on my headset. “Pastoral care, how can I help you?”
A woman’s voice, urgent but strained, greeted me. “My name is Charlotte. I need you to share a quick Word or Scripture with me now!” She took a deep, calming breath and added, “Please.”
“What’s going on?” I asked gently.
She exhaled again, the weight in her voice palpable. “It’s my best friend… she’s in a terrible place emotionally and spiritually. Her husband is tearing her down, verbally abusing her daily. He wakes up yelling, demanding, bullying her from the start, then drinks the rest of the day, and it’s wearing her down. She’s exhausted, blaming herself, questioning her own worth. She even said, ‘I fear him.’ She’s so precious,” she continued. “I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
Her pain and desperation tugged at me. I paused, gathering my thoughts.
“Is your Bible nearby?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied quickly.
“Great. Let’s find strength in His Word and send out a spiritual SOS for her. Let’s pray that these scriptures bring her comfort, guidance, and protection.” As she reached for her Bible, I silently prayed, Thank You, Jesus, for Your Word and for being our ever-present help.
I opened my Bible, my fingers finding familiar pages in the Psalms. “Charlotte,” I said, “let’s read Psalm 27:14 together.” Her voice softened as she repeated after me, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart ….” We held a brief pause to let those words sink in.
“Now, let’s go to Psalm 34,” I continued, “verses 4, 7, and 8.” We read slowly, emphasizing each promise:
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”
Charlotte repeated each line, her voice gaining strength. “I’ll pass these on to her,” she whispered.
“Yes,” I encouraged. “Remind her that she’s not alone, that the Lord’s angels surround her, even in her fear. Let’s keep going with Psalm 34:15-18: ‘The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. … The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart ….’”
Charlotte’s voice grew softer. “She needs this … she feels so broken.”
“She’s not alone,” I assured her. “The Lord draws close to those with a contrite spirit. He hears every cry, and His presence is a shield around her.”
We turned to Psalm 32:7–8 next, and I could feel the weight of God’s protection in the words:
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
Charlotte exhaled, “Yes, Lord, let her feel surrounded and protected, and guide her out of that mess, if need be.”
We continued, moving to Psalm 31:1–4 and 9. Together we declared: “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. … Deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. … For You are my strength. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body!”
Tears edged in her voice as she repeated, “For You are my strength …”
We paused, resting in the truth of that statement. Then, I guided her to Psalm 31 verses 14–16 and 24: “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies …. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies’ sake. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
“Help her be of good courage,” Charlotte echoed. “And strengthen her heart, Lord.”
I could sense Charlotte’s spirit lifting as we went through each verse. “Charlotte, God’s promises are powerful, and they are alive. Encourage your friend to let these verses fill her heart. Remind her that God is her refuge, and He surrounds her with His angels.”
Charlotte sighed deeply, her voice now calm. “Thank you … I needed this as much as she does. These words are exactly what she needs.”
“Remember, you’re both not alone. God’s love and protection are steadfast. As you stand in prayer with her, know that the Lord hears every word and sees every tear.”
We ended the call with a prayer, lifting up Charlotte’s friend for God’s deliverance and asking for peace to fill her heart and mind. As I closed my Bible, I thanked God for the power of His Word—a fortress of hope and strength in the midst of any storm.