Proverbs 18:10 ”The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe.”
Like the strong towers of old, Jesus is our security and safety. He is the place we run to when life gets rough and we’re afraid.
A rich man’s wealth is like a strong city; and the heart of a rich man is haughty, but humility goes before honor. He who answers before he hears, it is folly and shame unto him.
Protection
In the Ancient Near East, towers were used as places of refuge and safety. The psalmist here uses the image of a tower to describe God’s protection for those who trust in Him.
God’s name is a strong tower, and those who run into it are safe. The name of the Lord encompasses all that He is, including His revealed glory, power, authority, love, and goodness. Those who have made Him their refuge will run to Him, barricade themselves inside of His presence and protection, and be set on high.
The psalmist also compares God’s protection to the shield and buckler of military armor. He is a helper, a very present help in trouble, and will protect us against the deadly plagues of famine, war, pestilence, disease, and death. He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but he will provide a way out so that we can endure the temptation.
Safety
When people were threatened by danger in ancient times, they would run to a strong tower. These were the center of a city and provided safety and security for its inhabitants. Jesus is your tower of safety, offering protection from the evil that surrounds you.
He is not just your defender, but the mighty fortress of your soul (Psalm 91:2). You are safe in Him as long as you remain in close relationship with Him, trusting Him for everything you need.
Many people look to their wealth, position, power, and reputation for safety, but these things are only temporary. They can be destroyed in an instant by the wickedness of men, and time and chance will affect them all (Ecclesiastes 9:11). But the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. He is the mighty fortress of your soul, and He is all you need (Proverbs 18:10).
Reassurance
In ancient times, towers were built as a place of refuge for people to run to in time of danger. They provided safety and security because they were high above the rest of the city. The Lord is a strong tower. He is your security and protection today.
Often when we think of reassurance, we picture someone saying kind or helpful things to calm us down. But reassurance from the Lord is much more than that. It is based on who He is and the words He has spoken. It is the certainty that comes from belief.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe. The heart of the proud is haughty, But the humility of the lowly will bring them honor. He who answers before he hears, It is folly and shame unto him. (Proverbs 18:17) Amplified Bible Classic Edition. 2016 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Hope
Having been made right with God through faith in Christ, believers have the ability to run to the Lord in the midst of storm or battle. They can draw on the infinite heights and depths of His revealed character, power, mercy, and love. This is where hope comes in.
While the Bible does not often use the word “hope,” there are many instances where it describes the concept perfectly well. It is the natural outgrowth of a sincere faith.
It is a confident expectation of good things, not in this life but in the next, and it is founded on God and the truth of His Word. This is the kind of hope that Simeon held out for Israel and that Anna, the prophetess, proclaimed. This is the hope that we should all pursue with such a zeal that we never lose it. This is the hope that makes it possible to endure suffering well and live with joy.
