At the center of all the protections offered by the fortress stands the keep. This is the most secure building within the fortress. When the fortress is home to a King, this keep is made to a palatial castle.
At the center of our faith, prayers, worship, and praise is the King of Kings. His palace is beyond all grandeur and imagination. St. Paul and Jesus leave little doubt of the magnitude of the Father’s castle.
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. “ John 14:2-3
With the King in residence, banners fly and there is a celebratory air about the castle. We lift high the cross of Christ, our Victor King, as banner of His triumph over sin and death. Celebration as His sons and daughter of His grand defeat of the power of Satan.
All the defenses and all the protections of the fortress are built to surround and defend this location within our soul. This interior castle of our heart should be a prized place of joy where we can trust to find the King residing. Forming the strong outer defenses of our soul allows us to draw into this protected haven. Within the safety of the castle proper, we can delve deeper into our faith, finding the peace necessary to rest within the throne room of our King.
Return to the outer defenses to build and strengthen them against attacks of any enemy. Always be alert to openings that could put this joyous castle at risk with your heart. Stand guard on the walls of faith, knowing the One you are defending is the King. Understand that the defenses you build and watch over aren’t for the King as much as for your own strength and especially for a resting place for other souls who may come alongside you.
The castle is for all to share in acts of live and mercy. Never should any soul be turned away.