This morning I was brought to a reference verse of one that I studied just a bit ago, Psalm 61:3. The verse reminded me that my refuge and strong tower just as David exclaimed is in God and this morning in Proverbs I am reminded once again.

“¹⁰The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous man runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

As I read the verse this morning, the thing that stands out to me is that “the righteous man runs into it”. There is no hesitation or timidity with seeking safety in the LORD. I see in my minds eye a man sprinting to take cover in a building. There is no waiting for the difficulty to go passed or by, only running and seeking the safety and security of God.

“¹¹A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.” – Proverbs 18:11

Now there is a significant difference in what I see here. The man described is simply sitting and waiting, expecting that the difficulty will go away as a result of his position. He already has it all in front of him and as such, does not need any assistance.

I know that I need help and I need the strong tower of protection from God. I will run to Him in my time of need and seek His glory.

In your time of need, where are you looking? Are you sitting, waiting for the difficulty to pass? What if you took the opportunity to run to God, the strong tower of protection He is and provides?

It goes without saying that we should put our trust and safety in God. There are many examples in the Bible of the men of God doing just that and over the past years I have studied a good number of them. What brought me to study this another time is my study of the word “strong” as I have been for the past few weeks.

“⁷I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.” – Psalm 71:7 (ESV)

The first thing that I had to take some time studying was the word “portent” which has many different meanings. I looked in the dictionary I have at my desk, and then online which still confused me based on the context of the passage. You see there it was defined as a sign or an omen or a wonder. In the verse above you see the word “but” that negates that meaning. So I went to some commentary found in the online app, Bible Hub, to see if I could get additional clarity, and below is what I found as coming from the Geneva Study Bible.

“All the world wonders at me because of my miseries: both those in authority and the common people, yet being assured of your favour, I remain steadfast.”

What a great amount of insight I was given with just that one sentence expound on the original verse. When I look at the totality of the verse and the comment from the Geneva Study Bible I now understand.

People wondered at David because he continued to be who he was. As king, he had the power to avoid misery and difficulty and yet he accepted them. Even as a man after God’s own heart, he hid from Saul and fled the palace from his own son. And what they did not understand was that David did not seek refuge or protection from the world, he sought God and placed his full trust in Him.

I have fallen into the trap of seeking the favor of the world to solve and resolve my problems. I was looking not to “disappoint” the world with my actions. I should continue to place my trust in God and in God alone. The world really has nothing to offer me, it is in God that my refuge should be. I must remain strong in my reliance in Him and allow the world to say and act as they do, knowing that I am doing the will of God in my life.

Where are you placing your trust and refuge? Are you worried about what others in the world are saying about or acting toward you? What if you were more like David and stayed strong and true to your refuge in the Lord our God?

I have a home that protects me against the elements of weather outside. It also somewhat protects me against those that seek to harm me (I say somewhat as if a criminal wants to harm they will find a way to accomplish that). But there is more complete protection that I can rely on.

“¹Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; ²from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, ³for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” – Psalm 61:1-3 (ESV)

God provides protection from all and all we need do is ask and rely on Him. Notice the words of David, “Hear my cry”. David is reaching out to God for help in all situations. And He knows that God provides shelter and a stronghold to find safety and comfort, “you have been my refuge, a strong tower”. What a statement by a man. Granted, a man after God’s own heart, but a man none the less. David knows that in his time of need, he should be seeking God’s strong tower of protection.

I find myself in need and in those times it is up to me to seek help and protection. I must remember that protection is best sought and found in God. He is my refuge and my strong tower of protection “against any enemy”, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. God provides the answers to all of my prayers. I must seek His face and strong tower.

When you are in need, where is it that you are seeking protection? Are you looking to do things on your own? What if you were to seek the strong tower of protection from God instead?

Over a year ago I was studying the word “wait” and was led to Psalm 27:14.

“¹⁴Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

I was led to the realization that waiting was a demonstration of dependence on God. As we wait, we let others know that God is in control and that we are on His path and timing.

Waiting is also a demonstration in strength. It is so easy to be distracted by speed and instant gratification. And when we are distracted, we demonstrate our weakness to that which is just that, a distraction as opposed to keeping our eyes on the path we are on. That distraction is likely placed there by Satan to take our eyes off of God.

I have to remember to rely on the strength that God has given me to stay and focus on that which will bring Him glory knowing that when I do, I will be rewarded with blessings beyond this world. My strength to wait demonstrates my dependence on Him and the confidence that the Lord will be visible to me when I am looking for Him and His guidance in my life.

Are you waiting for God? What strength is needed for you to demonstrate you waiting on God? What if you were to put all else aside and focus your attention on waiting for God?

I have been up against some pretty big foes in the past. Whether physically, professionally, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, those foes have been significantly daunting and overwhelming.

“¹After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself.” 2 Chronicles 32:1 (ESV)

And you can see in just this one verse that I am/have not been alone. The people of Judah were under siege here and had every right to be concerned and afraid of the impending outcome. But the people had greatness on their side that they were in need of being reminded.

King Hezekiah did not just sit back and let God do all the work. He took action by cutting off the water that the Assyrians were relying on. Then he fortified the wall around the city and built an additional wall. And then he really went to work, by gathering the people together and gave them the reminder of God’s Love.

“⁶And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, ‘⁷Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. ⁸With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.’” – 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 (ESV)

Hezekiah did not order the people to fight, he encouraged them. Hezekiah reminded the people that God was on their side and that no matter the foe, they would ultimately prevail as it was in God’s plan to do so. No fear to motivate, it was love that was used to motivate. The love and protection of the LORD our God.

I am so glad that God is there to “have my back” as I go into battle. There is no adversity that will not be overcome with His guidance and help. No, I may not always conquer, but I will always receive what is in the plan of God for me to receive. I only need to remember to be strong and know that God is there, on my side. He is and will always be there with His arms of protection around me. I may get nicked and injured from time to time, but I am ultimately protected from ultimate defeat, for God will not lose and with Him in my corner, I will not lose either.

When you are facing adversity, where is it that you turn for assistance? Do you know who is fighting on your behalf? What if you were to turn your eyes to God and be strong and know that He is with you?

I think of times when I have it in my mind to accomplish something and there is nothing that will get in my way to make it happen. I think of Olympic athletes that work for a lifetime to have the opportunity to represent their countries in competition. They attend the Olympic trials with everyone else and in some cases are the favorite to achieve the goal, only, for one reason or another, they do not succeed.

“⁶Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. ⁷David said to Solomon, ‘My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. ⁸But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.”’” – 1 Chronicles 22:6-8 (ESV)

David who had been called a man after God’s heart would seem to be the one to build the temple. He was the king and had all the rights to do so based on his position in the kingdom in this world as well as being so close to God. But, it was not to be. God had other plans and had a legitimate reason as to the why.

What I take away from this passage is not that David was denied the building of the temple, but the very idea that he embraced it and formally charged Solomon to do so.

“¹¹Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you.” – 1 Chronicles 22:11 (ESV)

David was not selfish in his undertakings and did not look to build his name through further actions. In fact, he embodied the very idea of being a man after God’s heart. He embraced the charge from God that Solomon was to build the temple and made sure to provide what was needed to not only get started, but to make the beginning a much easier undertaking.

David was strong in and with the word of the LORD. He was obedient even though he was not to get the glory himself. He worked hard to accomplish the goal and when the time came, he graciously and fully supported Solomon as the one to take the task to the end.

It is for me to be reminded that I may prepare and work hard to accomplish the goal, but when the time comes, it is my role in God’s plan that matters in the end. I am to be strong and stay in/with the word of the LORD so that His will is done and not mine.

When you spend time and energy working for something only to not fully succeed, how is it that you react? Will you be satisfied to do all the hard work and turned everything over to others when God calls them to finish the task? What if you were to be strong in/ with the word of the LORD and give others your support?

“²I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, ³and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, ⁴that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’” – 1 Kings 2:2-4 (ESV)

Here David is commissioning Solomon to take over for him as he is about to die. What I find here is the theme of encouragement that and instruction to do according to the will of God. Moses provided similar instructions to Joshua that God reiterated shortly after Moses died. And now, David gives these instructions to Solomon and the words of the LORD are passed on to him as well.

This theme gives me hope in the growth of leadership that springs from the following of God. It allows me to dig in and live more deliberately my mission to “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love.” I know that I am doing the right things as I follow the and be the example of Christ’s love to all that I interact with, both directly and indirectly. I have these words of Moses, David, and more importantly of God that I am able to draw upon to give me the strength and courage to press on regardless of the circumstances around me.

As you are in the world, where are you pulling your strength from? What is your mission/purpose here in the world? What if you were to draw on the LORD and follow His example with strength and courage?

“³²For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? ³³This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. ³¹This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” – 2 Samuel 22:32-33 & 31 (ESV)

Refuge: (noun) shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty (Merriam-Webster Online)

You see the verses and definition I have stated above. There is not really that much to unpack to me, although I will say that I took some time thinking, searching, and studying to determine what it all meant to me. I believe that the definition of “refuge” is what really helped me to understand for myself, especially the third part that indicates the “recourse in difficulty”.

I have, currently, and will have difficult times in my life. During those times I have, do, and will be looking for help in dealing with them. As a proud human man, I have a tendency to do things on my own (most of us have heard of the men that refuse to ask for directions). What I have found is that in those times when I am “on my own” the times seem to be even more difficult and the solutions seem to take forever. But, when I finally or make it a point to lean on God for help, everything falls into the place He would have them be in pretty short order.

Now I want to be clear, just as I have before. This leaning on God for help is not to just tell Him what we want and then walk away expecting it to happen. We still have a responsibility to take action based on the path He has for us. We should be allowing Him to “help” us as we work to find resolution. Where we find ourselves weak, He will provide the strength. Where we find walls, He will work to break them down or provide the path around them. Where we find resistance, He will provide the words and actions to soften it.

God is the strength we need in those difficult situations. He gives us the protection and tools to overcome the difficulty that pops up in this world as we do His will and follow the path He has for us.

When you are out there in the world, where are you drawing your strength to carry on? Are you doing your best to “do it yourself”? What if you were to rely on God to provide the strong guidance and break down the obstacles for you as you progress doing His will?

I hear from those in positions of power to “Do as I Say, not as I do”. Now, is that really the way things should be presented to others? I find it hard to swallow that it is ok for some to do as they wish without responsibility while lording over others to do the right thing and follow the rules.

“⁷Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” – Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV)

See the verses above where God is speaking with Joshua who had just taken over for Moses after his death. In this passage that begins in verse 1, God is giving Joshua instructions on how to carry himself as he leads the people of Israel into the promised land. The verses I have quoted above indicate how Joshua is to act with regard to the law, with full obedience I might add.

Now, yes, during this time, there was the book of the law, the Torah, where everything was spelled out. But, the spirit of the instructions that God was giving Joshua at this time are what I am referencing this morning. You see, God was telling Joshua to lead the people through his actions and not must through his words. No “do as I say” actions would be acceptable. Joshua was instructed to lead with more of a “do as I do” philosophy. He was to live his life according to the law of God and thereby he would not be asking the people to do something that he himself did not or was not willing to do himself.

For me, God wants me to live my life according to His plan. That plan cannot be carried out properly if I am not in tune with doing things according to His law. Thankfully, God’s law supersedes all other law. I know what you may be thinking, that we still have the law of man, and you are right. But, when we are in tune with God’s law, that will put us in tune with the law of man. If for some reason there is a conflict between the two, God’s law is where we should be focusing our attention as that is where we will make the most impact of the people around us.

It is hard to follow the law of God as there are so many opportunities to “get ahead” in the eyes of man by simply bending the rules. But doing so takes us away from the tasks that God has planned for us. So, be strong and courageous to adhere to the law of God as you make your way through this world.

Have you been involved with or been the one that says “do as I say, not as I do”? How did it feel to be on the receiving end of those directives? What if we were strong and courageous enough to take the approach of “do as I do” and make sure that is in line with the law of God?

“⁶Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. ⁷Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.’” – Deuteronomy 31:6-7 (ESV)

Verses 6 and 7 above remind to be strong and courageous. First Moses speaks to the people of Israel and then directly to Joshua, but the message is the same.

As he, Moses, was not going to be with the people when they cross the Jordan river into the promised land, he wanted them to know that it really mattered not. He wanted them to take comfort in that God would be with them and to assist in their acceptance of God’s grace and protection, he commissioned Joshua to take over the head position with them as they crossed into the promised land. And as he commissioned him, he gave the people and Joshua the same “pep talk” if you will. To be strong and courageous as they advanced for God would be with them every step of the way.

Thinking of how long the people of Israel were wandering and waiting to go into the promised land, I am sure that there was some apprehension as they got to this point. I know that I have waited for things and as they got closer and closer, I became a bit more anxious to get started and also to know if I was ready. I can only imagine the anxiety that was welling up with the Israelite people at this time. Here there leader, Moses, was letting them know that they would be completing the journey without him and although that would be the case, they should stand strong and courageously as they entered the promised land.

I think about myself and the journey that I am on and this passage reminds me to be strong and courageous as I move forward for God is with me and will protect and provide for me as I move on. Completing the journey for God is the end result and there is where my strength should be as I move forward. God has this in store for me and with that I should just move forward knowing that He will provide the result He has set in motion.

When you set out on the journey for God, how is your confidence? Are you feeling the anxiety of the journey and the unknown? What if you were to trust God and take the words of Moses to heart and be strong and courageous in the journey?