Proverbs 18:10 Memory/Meditation

 Hi EACF,

My apologies for the recent pause in these meditations- they've been in my head/heart, but I haven't made the time to actually write things out. So here we go! :-) 

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."

Although this passage is short, there's actually a lot that we can think and meditate upon. I want to briefly touch on three aspects of this passage. 

1. "The name of the LORD..."- In Scripture, the idea behind one's name was not just a identification label- but represented their nature or essence- their character, identity, and reputation. Whenever we we see "LORD" in all caps, it represents the actual name of God, that is "YHWH" (pronounced "Yah-weh", and often translated in older english Bibles as "Jehovah"). So in effect, this passage would read "The name of YHWH is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe". In just the Old Testament, there were a number of names attributed to God such as "The LORD Almighty", "The LORD of Hosts/Armies", "The LORD our healer". For a brief primer on such names, here's a link to explore: OT names of God 
   
   
2.  "...is a strong tower". In the time of Israel, towers within fortified cities signified strength and a place of refuge where one could hide from dangers below. We repeatedly see in the Psalms that the Lord is described as a hiding place (Ps 32, 119), a shield (Ps 3, 28, 119) a refuge, a rock of salvation (Ps 62, many others). Furthermore, those who take refuge in him are assured of receiving the goodness of God, of being blessed (Ps 34). 
   
   So at this point, we can see at least that God's character and identity can be trusted to protect.
   
   
3.  "..the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Notice here that the righteous man is utterly dependent on God to keep him safe. He doesn't just saunter over to the tower at his own leisure- he runs into it. There is an urgency because the man knows that unless he finds refuge, he is not safe from deadly threats about him. Our individualistic/do it yourself culture often assumes that someone who is righteous has strength within themselves to weather and ultimately outlast the trials and troubles of life. But may we heed the word of the Lord, and not our own intuitions- nor bow to the winds and currents of our culture. The righteous man is not self-sufficient. His security comes from the character and identity of the LORD.  

What does all this mean for us? How does this apply to us? I'd venture to say that we oftentimes run to anything BUT God for our sense of security and well-being. We seek the safety and salves of money (and the toys/comforts it afford us), relationships, the affirmation of achievement (be it in the workplace or even in the church context) or of human praise (in-person or virtual). Anything to tell ourselves, "Yea, I'm doing okay- everything's under control- I got this- I'm good". 

For those of us who have received Him and have received the right to become children of God...let's forsake believing the lies behind those counterfeit towers that will crumble. Our lives are hidden in Christ, and only in Him are we truly secure- through his life, death and resurrection we have been set free from slavery to sin and to the fear of death. Christ Jesus is our "wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1) and as his kingdom of priests, we are called to declare the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into light- to the praise of his glory. 

How well do we truly know the character of our God? How often have we thought upon his steadfast love? When we think of our Lord, would our first thoughts about God be congruent with how God first revealed himself to Moses? (Exodus 34:5-7). 

In John 17 when Jesus prayed his priestly prayer for his disciples and for those who would believe through them (that's us!!), he finished it with these words:

"O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:25-26

If we want to grow in understanding the name/character of our God- let us keep looking and ultimately depending upon Christ- all that he has done, who he is and forever will be for us together as his body. May the Holy Spirit continually and increasingly illuminate our hearts to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6), so that our collective boast may be in the Lord alone (Jeremiah 9:23-24, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Galatians 6:14). As we grow in knowing the Lord, may the very love that God the Father has for God the Son be in us by the power of his Spirit dwelling in us, all to the glory of his name. 

To help us continue meditating on the name of God, I recorded a brief medley- hope that it encourages you to press on to know and love the LORD. 

Jehovah Medley

Grace and Peace,

Mike