Tuesday, September 10, 2013

September 11, 2013

So, what were you doing 12 years ago on this fateful day?

I'll bet you remember clearly.

When you are haunted by the images of the twin towers burning and collapsing remember you have a strong tower and run to it!

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The man who does what is right runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

I. YOUR REFUGE – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower…..”

In Biblical times, names were given more significance than nowadays because they were descriptive of your essence. For example: Adam’s name meant “man”, Eve = “first mother”, Abram = “lofty father” which was later changed to Abraham = “father of multitudes”. Isaac, the long awaited son = “laughter”. Isaac’s son, Jacob = “deceiver” which later changed to Israel after he wrestled with God. Israel = “straightened by God”.

So, when the Proverb refers to the “name of God” as a strong tower it means all the attributes of God’s character and being!

Our God, our Strong Tower, is all-knowing, all-mighty, all-wise, infinite, holy, and ever-present. There attributes are reflected in some of His Biblical names:

The name of God is Jehovah - The name of God is Yahweh
The name of God is Elohim - My Creator
The name of God is El Elyon - Most High God (Sovereign Over All)
The name of God is Adonai - My Lord, My Master
The name of God is El Roi - God Who Sees
The name of God is El Shaddai - God Almighty
The name of God is Jehovah Ezer - The LORD our Helper
The name of God is Jehovah Jireh - The LORD Will Provide
The name of God is Jehovah Rapha - The LORD our Healer
The name of God is Jehovah Roi - The Lord is My Shepherd
The name of God is Jehovah Sabaoth - LORD of hosts (of armies)
The name of God is Jehovah Mekeddeshem - LORD Who Sanctifies
The name of God is Jehovah Nissi -The LORD Our Banner
The name of God is Jehovah Rapha - LORD Who Heals
The name of God is Jehovah Shalom - The LORD our Peace
The name of God is Jehovah Shammah - The LORD is There

God’s name is a “verb” while other gods are nouns……..

When you take refuge in the strong tower of God’s Name you get all of this – and more – you get to dwell personally with Him!

Thousands of people went to work that morning feeling very secure in what they assumed to be strong towers. None of them would have believed that before their morning break time hundreds would be dead, thousands fleeing the burning structures, and both towers collapsing into piles of debris.

In stark contrast to those crumbling skyscrapers, the Bible tells us we have a STRONG TOWER! How strong is it? It is as strong and secure as the Name of the Lord!

WHEN YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK DO YOU WANT A GOD WHO IS A VERB OR A GOD WHO IS A NOUN?

II. YOUR REFLEX – “The man who does what is right runs into it….”

When you were a child and you felt frightened by something – maybe a storm or a dog or a bully or maybe a monster under your bed, where did you run? TO YOUR FATHER, right?

That was your reflex – your default response, you didn’t think about it you just did it!

You didn’t run around the house or stop somewhere on the way, you ran straight to your father because you wanted to feel safe. You dropped whatever you were doing or whatever you were holding and got there as fast as you could.

Just as those poor folks who were fleeing the danger in the twin towers, they only had one thing in mind – get to safety fast as they could!

That is how you should run to God!

Notice, it says the “righteous man”. That is because a righteous man is the only one who can run immediately into God’s presence. An unrighteous person would have to put down their sin, repent, receive God’s righteousness and THEN run to Him. By then, it could be too late.

As a child of God it should be your reflex to run to Him in times of trouble, BUT you don’t have to go to Him just in trouble, you can share your joys with Him as well!

HOW?

CALL ON HIM – Prayer
CLAIM HIM – Promises
COMMUNE WITH HIM - Presence

WHAT IS YOUR REFLEX WHEN YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK? WHERE DO YOU RUN?

III. YOUR REASSURANCE – “….and is safe.”

Psalm 18:2, “Lord is 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.”

Psalm 61:2-3, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a STRONG TOWER from the enemy.”

Psalm 114:2, “My goodness, and my fortress, my HIGH TOWER, and my deliverer; my shield, and He in whom I trust…”

Think of God’s Track Record:

Moses called on the Name of the Lord and God delivered His people from Egypt.

Shadrach, Mesheck, and Abednigo called on the Name of the Lord and they were delivered from the fire.

David confronted Goliath in the Name of the Lord and the giant fell!

Elijah on Mt. Carmel called on the Name of the Lord and the fire fell!

And, if you will call on the Name of the Lord you can know the joy of salvation for the Bible promises: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,”

HAVE YOU FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO HIDE WHEN YOU ARE ATTACKED?

Remember your Refuge!

Run to your Refuge!

Rest in safety!

THE ATTACKS OF 9-11 CHANGED AMERICA FOREVER!

THANKFULLY, IN THE TWELVE YEARS SINCE WE HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANOTHER ATTACK. AT SOME POINT WE PROBABLY WILL BUT WE DO KNOW OUR VALUES AND OUR FREEDOM ARE UNDER ATTACK.

IF AMERICA EVER NEEDED A STRONG TOWER IT IS TODAY!

BUT YOU WILL NEED A STRONG TOWER. ATTACKS FROM THE ENEMY WILL COME. SOME OF YOU ARE UNDER ATTACK NOW.

IN THIS POST-9-11 WORLD WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR WOULDN’T IT BE WONDERFUL TO FEEL SAFE?

HERE IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO:

REMEMBER – You Have A Strong Indestructible Tower In Your God!

IF YOU HAVE FOUND THAT STRONG TOWER FOR YOUR REFUGE – HELP SOMEONE ELSE FIND IT!

RUN – Run Straight To God! Return To Him If You Have Strayed!

Run To Him If You Need To Be Saved!