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

                                                                                                     Proverbs 18:10 

Today: Read Proverbs 18

Today’s passage reminds us that God is a strong tower to those who belong to Him. In order to get a more comprehensive look at this protective aspect of God, we will move from Proverbs 18 into Psalm 18. Here we find David declaring his love for God while painting a broader picture of God’s amazing protective qualities for those of us who confess the name of Jesus. Consider the various descriptions of God that David had experienced in his life:

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

                                                                                                            Psalm 18:1-3 

Below are the eight portrayals of God along with a brief definition of each:

1. Strength: the ability to carry on when you think you can go no further
2. Rock: a solid, reliable foundation on which to build your life
3. Fortress: protection from the enemy’s attack
4. Deliverer: One who will fight your battles and bring you out of distress
5. Refuge: One in whom you can rest and take shelter
6. Shield: protection from the fiery attacks of the enemy
7. Salvation: to be saved from earthly battles but more importantly for eternity
8. Stronghold: One in whom you can trust and count on

God had proven Himself to be David’s strength, a rock on which he could depend. God was David’s fortress and deliverer. He acted as a refuge and shield. And David knew the saving power of God and trusted in Him to be the stronghold of his life.

So the important question for us would be, “Are we experiencing these attributes of God in our lives?” David and Solomon were both chosen by God to rule over Israel but both men were anything but perfect. Each man had his weaknesses and failures, but this did not prohibit God from revealing Himself to them, first father and then son. So how do we put ourselves in a position of experiencing these qualities of God in our lives?” The answer to that question is found in understanding how we are made right with Him. We are made right with God by faith in what Jesus has already done for us on the cross. The following is a good summation of this truth:

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

                                                                                           Romans 5:1 (NLT)

First, it is our faith that places us in a saving relationship with God. To “be made right” is to be justified and only those who are saved can claim justification with God. Secondly, this saving relationship produces a peace with God. We are no longer at odds with Him because of sin. And lastly, we are accepted because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross by His obedience.

There is a freedom that comes to those who completely trust in Jesus for their salvation without any mixture or consideration of works. As we grow in our faith (increasing the amount of trust that we place in Jesus), we begin to experience the saving and protective attributes of God in our lives. When we belong to Christ, God becomes our salvation and our stronghold. He acts as a deliverer and a shield. He becomes for us a strong tower, a rock, and a fortress. He is our refuge and our strength. This is what it means to be a believer in Jesus.

Are you experiencing the saving and protective power of God in your life? As believers, we do not just read Psalm 18 rather it becomes our testimony. Ask God to be your strong tower today!