August 18 – Security In The Tower

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

Towers from antiquity have always been vital and strategic for protection. From earliest records, towers demonstrated power and wealth. Towers were named by the person who built them or the town for which they were built. Watchtowers built by farmers were platforms from which farmers protected their land and livestock. These towers were also a protected shelter for shepherds to watch their flocks and a fortified position for sentinels to guard a city. The expression, “the name of the LORD” used in this verse is found only here in Proverbs. It contains the very name of God and stands for the manifest perfections of God such as faithfulness, power, mercy, and wisdom, on which the righteous rely for security. The righteous turn to the name of the Lord, that is, to His revealed character. In Exodus 3:15 when God calls Moses from out of the wilderness he says to him “ This is My name forever, My memorial-name to all generations.” In Exodus 15:3 Moses declares “The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name.” By putting our trust in His Name we’re as safe as a person hiding from the enemy in a strong tower.

A watchtower on the south side of the Levonah Valley, in the mountains on the border between Samaria and Judea.

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December 2 – Refuge of Strength

“Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. … For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy.”  Psalm 61:1,3 (NASB)

Yesterday we looked at the second verse of this Psalm by David.  Today we look at verses one and three.  In this song, David is writing about his need for God to hear his prayer.   In the third verse David claims God's promise as his refuge and his tower of strength.  Towers were important in those days so that a defending army could see the enemy approaching from far off.  Towers provided protection from the enemy.  We need such protection today and we find it in the same place David did – in God.  He is where we find refuge and the strength we need to fight the enemy that attacks us from every side.  We cannot defeat the enemy on our own, using our own strength.  When we try it is like we are standing alone on the battle field surrounded on every side with no protection.  We need to be in God who is the refuge we need, God has promised to watch over us and to never leave us alone.  He does hear our prayers, its a promise.

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