The Strong Tower

If we imagine a strong tower, what do we see? - A fortified stronghold adjoining a castle? An impenetrable fortress built to withstand all attacks of the enemy? Or perhaps a place of refuge? A tower generally allowed an unobstructed view of the surrounding area from which enemy activity could be observed and monitored. It was secure and safe.

‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower.’ He’s always there to run to when the going gets tough. We’re encouraged to turn away from the enemy and retreat into Him, not to stand toe to toe and battle it out, but turn to Him for our protection and defence.

This might seem to be the cowardly way out. Surely if we got ourselves into the predicament, then it’s up to us to get ourselves out. - Really? But isn’t this just a matter of pride? We bravely tell ourselves, “I can take it. I’m strong enough to overcome this.” And that’s precisely what the enemy uses to aggravate the situation.

‘The righteous run into it and are safe.’ Let’s run to the One who can help us. But isn’t this only for the righteous? Do I qualify for His protection? I don’t see myself as righteous. Scripture clearly tells us ‘there is no one righteous, not even one’ (Romans 3:10). ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

Yes, we’re all sinners. By Adam’s sin mankind was defiled (Genesis:3). We’re all born into sin by hereditary contamination. And the consequence? ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23), and ‘For as in Adam all die’ (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Yet this is the very reason Christ came to earth, to die for our sins. God sent Jesus, sinless, to carry our sin with Him to the cross. He died with our sins, and broke the curse over mankind by rising again from the dead (Galatians 3:13).

‘Through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous’ (Romans 5:19). ‘Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 6:11). ‘For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hallelujah! Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we’ve become His righteousness!

This opens the door to a host of promises. ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all’ (Psalm 34:19). ‘The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry’ (Psalm 34:15). ‘The wages of the righteous is life’ (Proverbs 10:16). ‘The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father’ (Matthew 13:43). So now we can take our rightful place in the strong tower, where we’re safe.

Prayer: Father, I look for safety and protection in many places and often rely on my own strength to see me through. Sometimes this isn’t enough. Teach me to lean on You at all times, so that You’re my tower of strength in times of need. Thank You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.