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A Strong City

“... a strong city, God appoints salvation as walls and defenses, appear at the gates, come enter righteous nations, that keep the truth, whose mind stays on you, guarded in perfect peace because it trusts in you...”1

The prophet speaks, for a strong city God builds walls of salvation, bulwarks of defense not only for those within, but for those without, she is salvation for those that are righteous and for those who keep truth these will enter her gates. She is guarded in peace as within her walls, within the land, dwells righteousness and justice, which effect is peace. A lofty city is brought low but a strong city trusts in God and is salvation for the righteous, is benevolent, and is a haven for truth and understanding.

“... trust in Jehovah forever, for in God Jehovah, we have an everlasting Rock.”2

A city who trusts in God. On the dollar bill is stated "In God We Trust" it is a statement of trust not in the dollar but in God. A strong city finds her strength in God, not in walls and bulwarks of defense... as the best security in the world is useless when a city no longer trusts in God. A strong city is founded upon the Rock and is guarded, kept in perfect peace.

"... the way of the righteous is smooth; O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level."

A strong city is one of salvation. God has appointed walls and bulwarks. He gives "A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, A strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate." When a city no longer is a city of salvation, it is a lofty city, such a city doesn't give refugee to the weary, and the righteous enter not its gates. The lofty city puts heavy burdens on the shoulders of men, rule upon rule they give when God says give refugee, give rest and reprieve. A lofty city is one where there is no justice nor righteousness, it will oppress the poor and afflict the weak, though it has strong walls and defenses, it will be brought low.

“... He brings low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city, He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust.”3

A city of understanding. Into a strong city come righteous nations who keep truth, these enter its gates as its strength is within the walls of its salvation. History tells us that from within, great cities fall. "The one thing we have learned from history is that we don't learn from history," Winston Churchill said. "He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."2 We see this truth in scripture regarding God's people, lofty cities are led away into captivity because they fall from within. But who lays the city low?

"... the foot will trample it, the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the needy.”4

A strong city is a city of benevolence. Lofty men who love money would take the cloak of a widow or orphan but righteous and just men stand for the poor and the afflicted. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of the lowliness of Israel when God had chosen them, but they had forgotten where they had come from, "you have not remembered the days of your youth but have enraged Me." They became comfortable in riches, trusting in their own wealth, caring not for the poor. This is a lofty city...

“... arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy."5

A city on a hill. A strong city is light on a hill, a beacon of truth, those who love truth enter its gates as justice and righteousness dwell there. Such a city trusts God, is salvation for those who seek truth, and cares for the welfare of its people. Well, you say, we have the same standard for all. But such is not wisdom, no, such is not understanding, when the righteous are treated as the wicked, justice doesn't dwell in the land, and the city is no longer a light to the world. A lofty city treats all the same, it calls the good, evil and evil, good, but wisdom cries out, "let not grace be shown to the wicked..."6 But who is the wicked? the poor? or the one who oppresses the poor? oh, where is understanding, where is wisdom? she cries out in the town hall of a strong city.

"And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever."3

A strong city is one where the righteous dwell. When justice and righteousness dwell in the land, the effect is peace and quietness.7 A strong city is one  established on a strong foundation of trust, justice, righteousness, and benevolence. "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line…" Such a city hungers for righteousness, "I will seek you early for when your judgments dwell in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Why do the righteous nations enter a strong city? because it is salvation for those who hunger and thirst, “blessed are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness for they will be filled."8

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