It is generally agreed that this strong city referred to here in the land of Edom was the city of Petra. Apparently, that city was so situated that it was impregnable. It seems that as yet David had not been able to capture that strong city, and in this verse he realised the difficulty. There was only one entry into this city of Petra, which was high up in the rocks, and that was by a narrow gorge which went on for about two miles. It was extremely narrow, and on each side there were over-towering rocks, and in places barely two people could get through side by side. So you can see what the situation was, and what the meaning is of this strong…

I wonder about how many of us here this evening, this beautiful word could be spoken – the sweet assurance that we love our Lord Jesus Christ. O but may there be that prayer tonight in each heart, young and old, that we might know this blessed, vital experience and that the love of Christ might be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, that it might truly be witnessed of us, “Whom having not seen, ye love.”

One thing a gospel minister does need to beware of: that is, continually repeating himself. Over the years there have been some most godly ministers who in their latter days have kept on repeating themselves. Now may the Lord ever deliver us from that. But beloved friends, there are occasions when repetition has been overruled and abundantly blessed. Now let me give you one instance.

This very simply, clearly tells us what the Christian life is. What an unspeakable mercy if this word is true of you and me here this morning: the life which we live! We have a life to live, a life which we live by the faith of the Son of God. So the subject really is, what is the Christian life, and how is it to be lived? So much of the Word of God is devoted to this subject.