Scripture: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” – (18:10)
Observation: Today’s world doesn’t have a monopoly on wickedness. It was just as present and real in Solomon’s day as it is currently. In today’s key verse, the king reminds his son that God Himself is our protector and will provide the safety needed.
Application: One of the most unsettling factors we face in today’s world is the increasing violence. I remember growing up and being able to walk to the grocery store for my mother without fear. Parents let their children roam the neighborhoods until the street lights came on, and walking to school was the norm for many of us. This is no longer the case. Random shootings, child abductions, and senseless brutality have become daily events. This world is a very frightening place, but Solomon’s proverb gives us hope. With Jesus as our Saviour, we have a divine protector. Take a moment to think about how He protected in the past.
- God protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire.
- “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” – Daniel 3:28
- God protected Daniel from the lions.
- “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” – Daniel 6:22
- God protected David from a lion, a bear, and the warrior, Goliath.
- “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” -1 Samuel 17:37
- God protected Paul from the bite of a venomous snake.
- “And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand… And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.” – Acts 28:3,5
God is immutable, that is, He never changes. Malachi 3:6 records God’s words, “For I am the LORD, I change not.” He continues to protect believers today. Isaiah 41:10 also records God declaring, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” What He did then, He will do now.
Do bad things happen to Christians? Yes, they do. We live in a sin-cursed world that is currently dominated by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 5:19), and we are subject to struggles, challenges, and even persecutions. One day, they will be completely eradicated, but until then, God gives us the ability to persevere, and He promises His deliverance. Here is how He offer His protection now.
- Ephesians 6:14-18 explains how we must be clothed in the full armor of God. Verse 13 states, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us a way out when tempted to sin. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
- Psalm 121:8 promises God’s protection forever. “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
It is important to remember that God’s will for our lives will come to fruition. He cannot and will not be defeated by Satan and the evil in this world. The Bible promises us this great truth: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4). We are God’s children; He is our Father; He holds us in His hand, and makes this statement: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28). That is our God, our strong tower! Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
Prayer:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever!
(from “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by Martin Luther)
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“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” – Proverbs 18:2