September 9, 2011

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  Proverbs 18:10

Nearly 3,000 perished in the smoke and flames and toxic fumes in the twins towers on 9-11-01. Fortunately, Many were able to run out of the buildings to safety before they collapsed into a huge pile of rubble. No one who remained in the building survived.

Who can forget the awful images of desperate people who made the dreadful decision to leap out of the upper stories of the building rather than succumb to the flames and the fumes? How terrifying that must have been.

Thousands of people were able to escape the building and make it to safety while at the same time scores of firefighters and first responders were running into the building attempting to save lives. Many of them who ran in lost their lives attempting to rescue others.

In sharp contrast to those seeking to run out of those doomed towers and make it to safety, the Bible tells us that "the righteous run" INTO the Strong Tower in order to survive! How amazing is that?!

You may be wondering, "How do I run into the Strong Tower?"

There is a condition - "the righteous"

To run to the Strong Tower you must be made righteous by the blood of Christ. You must accept the sacrifice that Christ made for your sins on the cross.

There is a confession - "call on the Name of the Lord" and climb into Him by faith.

The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower! Run into it!

September 8, 2011

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  Proverbs 18:10

I spent some time on youtube today looking for videos of 9-11 that I might use for Sunday. There were some very clear footage of the planes as they impacted each of the towers. Some were played in real time and some in slow motion. It was disturbing to watch again - very disturbing. I can't imagine how horrifying it must be for the family members and friends to watch.

Those poor people in the jetliners had no chance. Neither did those who where in the towers at the point of impact.

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!

The Name of the Lord is strong because it describes His nature and character. There are over fifteen names for God in the Old Testament. Here are a few:

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

Our God is a STRONG GOD! All the other gods in the Bible have names that are a noun because they are contained in one place in one idol. But our God is a verb! He is active! He is dynamic! He cannot be contained or restrained!

The twin towers of the World Trade Center looked strong, but one attack from the enemy brought them to the ground. Our God has been under attack by the Enemy for centuries but His Name stands strong and victorious!