Monday, January 24, 2011

A Strong Tower

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10
I recently heard a sermon from evangelist John Van Gelderen on this passage, and these thoughts are taken from that message. Throughout the Bible, the word LORD is used in many different ways. The sermon focused on three specific passages.
In Genesis 22:14, God's name is Jehovah Jireh - The LORD is my Provider. The story is of Abraham and Isaac, just as Abraham was about to take the life of his son in a test of Abraham's faith and obedience to God. God stopped Abraham just in time, and showed him a ram caught in a thicket. That ram took Isaac's place, and Isaac was spared. God provided a substitute for Isaac, which was a picture of how Jesus would be our Substitute on the cross.
Exodus 17:15 refers to the LORD as Jehovah Nissi - The LORD is my Banner. This could also be said, the LORD is my Victory. The Israelites were fighting the Amalekites, and Moses stood on top of the mountain watching the fighting. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel was winning. But as he got tired and his hands fell, Amalek would start to win. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses and held up his hands for him. As long as Moses' hands were held up, it showed the faith that Moses and the Israelites had in the LORD. God gave them the victory over the Amalekites that day.
Another passage, Judges 6:24, refers to the LORD as Jehovah Shalom - the LORD is my Peace. The angel of the LORD had appeared to Gideon and told him of the task he was to accomplish. Gideon was doubtful at first, and asked for sign that the angel was indeed from God. Gideon brought an offering of food to the angel of the LORD, and the angel consumed the offering with fire. Gideon immediately realized that the visitor was indeed from God, and he became fearful because he had seen an angel face to face. The LORD responded with gracious words, "Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die." Gideon built an altar to the LORD, and called the place Jehovah Shalom.
We, too, can run to the strong tower - the name of the LORD - for provision, for victory, for peace. We can trust Him to provide for all our needs. We can trust Him for victory over sin in our daily lives, by relying on the Holy Spirit instead of ourselves. And we can trust Him for peace in the midst of trials and troubling times. Learn to run to the strong tower.

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