I recently read James Michener’s book “The Source.” A thick history about a fictional town in Palestine, it gave me a new understanding of how important walls and towers were in ancient culture. Without them, you could not defend yourself from the constant threat of invasion. You needed fortification if you wanted to build a community, engage in commerce, or raise families in relative safety.


In the midst of Proverbs 18, a chapter that reminds us of all the ways people can be foolish, we find a verse about the name of the Lord being a fortified tower. In the midst of our messiest battles – lawsuits and quarrels and family problems and harsh words and injustice – there is a safe place: in the name of the Lord.


Contemporary culture can feel like it’s invading those who put their trust in the name of the Lord. But Proverbs 18 reminds us what a safe place He is. Our eternal safety is taken care of precisely because Christ left the safe tower of heaven and subjected Himself to the world’s sin and foolishness.