The first word from the Lord that I heard when I woke up this morning was “stronghold,” so imagine my delight when He led me to this scripture: “David CAPTURED the stronghold of Zion, that is the City of David!” Hoa! In giving me this word today, God is letting us know that great victory is at the door! “David said ON THAT DAY whoever climbs up the way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain. Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” Then David dwelt in the stronghold and called it “The City of David.” And David built all around from the Millo and inward. So David went on and became great, and the Lord of hosts was with him.” (2 Samuel 5: 8-10)

If we have the testimony that we have walked with God faithfully and have loved Him with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, this word is a promise that we, like David, shall capture the stronghold and become great. The meaning of the name “Jebusite” is “downtrodden.” Have we not all been downtrodden and seemingly defeated by the devil? Look at David, who was a vagabond on the run from King Saul… Was he not downtrodden then? And at Ziklag it appeared all was lost, but things changed because of faith in God.

In my old Bible, I wrote the words “7 Nations Within” and listed them along with the meanings of their names:

Canaanite: fear, anxiousness, worry, frustration (idolatry)

Hittite: anger, distemper, unforgiveness, bitterness, criticism (fear of man and rejection)

Hivite: talkative, boasting, self-confidence, independence (compromise)

Perizite: false liberty, I can, I will, I am able, listen to me, pride (self-ego- pride of man)

Amorite: self-justification, compromise, complacent (pride, rebellion and control

Girgoshite: at ease, unfaithful, self seeking, self interest

Jebusite: temporal security, self-rich, sugar and spice and everything nice (confusion)

I didn’t write down the source of this information, but whether or not it’s totally accurate, we know that all of these traits must be overcome by us. Truly we will end up blind and lame if these nations within are not rooted out. Concerning the Jebusite spirit, the “sugar and spice and everything nice” meaning brought back to mind Jesus’ words: “Do not think I’ve come to bring peace. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matt.10: 34) Do you think it was sugar and spice and everything nice when Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves? You know it wasn’t! Those who are going to find their residence in the City of David will not be conformed to this world’s way of doing things, nor the church’s. I am certain that the religious world in Jesus’s day thought he was out of order in what he did. Know that we are going to be looked upon as “out of order” as well as the Lion of Judah rises up in us.

How we must never forget that if we allow what people think to matter to us, we will not be those who will rule with Christ…Truly, if we are rich in self, not in God and if we choose temporal security over laying down our lives and denying self, salvation will not be ours.

Come with me now and be fortified by taking hold, … even a strong hold on these scriptures:

“The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, you save me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22: 3

“My Loving kindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom  I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.” Psalm 144:2

“The Lord roars from Zion and he utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth trembled. But the Lord is a refuge for his people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel.” Joel 3: 16

Oh Beloved, this One Who has promised to perfect us is not only a stronghold for us, He is making us into one, too. So what can I say now, but go get those Jebusites for IN THAT DAY,….even YOUR DAY, the lame will walk and the blind will see! Hallelujah!