Sunday Afternoon Reflections: Proverbs 18:10

One of the texts that were preached upon this morning was Proverbs 18:10 [& 11], “10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.  11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.” (ESV) 

It would be very easy to misread, misuse, or misapply this text by assuming this proverb teaches that we simply need to be ready, willing, and able to run to God and his protection in order to be saved.  Yet, this raises the question, “In a time of war, who has the right to approach a fortress tower in order to seek protection?”  Only those who are citizens of that particular city are welcome into that city’s defensive tower or keep.  It has always been that way.  In biblical times, a Philistine raider couldn’t seek refuge from King David and his mighty men by holding up in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount.  And, today, an Al Queda terrorist couldn’t seek shelter from a Predator Drone by holding up with the US Army’s 1st Armored Division in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  Only citizens of a particular nation have the right to seek shelter in the defenses of that particular nation. 

We live in the midst of the fray of the cosmic battle between God and Satan; between the Kingdom of Heaven and the powers and principalities of this age, between good and evil.  As such, the only way we can call on the name of the Lord to seek shelter within him is if we have first been granted citizenship into the Kingdom of Heaven by new birth into Christ Jesus via the effectual call of the Holy Spirit according to the will of the Father.  In other words, God has to make you and I citizens before we can have the privilege of protection and shelter within the Kingdom of Heaven (Phil 3:18—4:1; Eph 2:19—22; 2 Cor 5:16—17).  God makes us citizens of his kingdom, and, then, we live as citizens of his kingdom, in part, by calling on his name for shelter. 

But, how could we possibly trust that the name of the Lord is a strong enough tower?  How can we truly believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is an invincible protection and shelter from all evil?  Even the strongest nations fail their citizens.  No country can perfectly protect its people.  In the past week and a half, in two stunning instances, the Unites States has failed her citizens in places of military conflict.  First, in the midst of the Libyan conflict/civil war, the US state department chartered a ship to evacuate US citizens from Libya.  Unfortunately, the ship that they chartered was too small to handle the weight of evacuees while sailing in the turbulent weather of the open seas.  So, the ship and the evacuees had to spend a few extra days in a dangerous port awaiting calmer seas.  Second, while sailing around the world distributing bibles, two couples (Scott and Jean Adam, Robert Riggle and Phyllis Macay) were captured by Somali pirates.  For three days four US Navy ships tried to recover the two couples held hostage in their yacht.  Tragically, despite the massive strength, firepower, and technology of four warships, the two couples were killed by their Somali captors. 

Will God ever fail me?  Can I ever be held just beyond the reach of God’s mighty arm?  Can I stray too far from the Lord’s care, mercy, love, and compassion? Too often we fail to trust God’s provision because we fail to believe that God is all powerful (omnipotent).  Unlike earthly nations, counties, or kingdoms with limited power, strength, and resources, God’s power is limitless and infinite.  He will not fail us -- he is perfectly reliable.  In fact, the name of the LORD is the only omnipotent security for the two Bible-smuggling couples who were recently killed, not the Unites States and her Navy.

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God says, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed” (ESV Isaiah 51:6; see also Lam 3:22).

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