Safe places in today’s world are scarce. We need a safety net.
Terrorism. Crime in our cities. Home invasions. Road rage. We’re threatened on every side.
But have you heard? “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). That’s good information, don’t you think?
When my children were young, feeling frightened by a television program, they wondered how God would protect us if we faced danger.
I couldn’t say how, but assuring them he would protect us, I related a familiar story about the Israelites caught between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea with no way out. Who would’ve thought God could divide the waters, using a strong east wind, for the Israelites to cross the sea on dry ground? And then the walls of water collapsed, drowning their enemies (see Exodus 14:20-31).
My children thought it was a fantastic story and so do I. Relating it probably did more for me than for them.
The threats already mentioned, along with wars being fought worldwide and financial instability and moral decline in our culture, cause uncertainty and disillusionment.
If I let myself think about these realities, using my young son’s words, it would “scare my heart out.”
But I know our sovereign Lord controls the universe and our lives. Nothing happens without his permission or outside his purpose.
Our sovereign Lord controls the universe and our lives. Nothing happens without his permission or outside his purpose. Click To TweetFear needn’t paralyze us. “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 30:25).
“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord 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. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies” (Psalm 18: 1-3).
“Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:6-7).
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8).
Note to self: the name of the Lord is my strong tower and safety net; when feeling afraid, run to him!
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalms 34:1-4).
(Adapted from Cabbages and Kings—Reflections on Living Abundantly in Christ. Scriptures from KJV)
© Dianne Barker 2019
Have you found safety in the name of the Lord? I’d love to hear about it. And please share this with your friends!