A Tower That Will Not Fall

Every animal knows how to scurry to a refuge when being preyed upon, pursued or threatened. Some dive into a hole in the ground, some climb a tree, some run into a thicket, some hide in tall grass, some rely on coloration or configuration to make them blend in and become invisible.

There are many times in life when we feel like we are being preyed upon by Satan, the world and even our own weaknesses. We feel the need to flee. As one bumper sticker put it, “When the going gets tough the tough head for the hills.” That means to run for refuge, to flee the trouble and to seek safety.

One of the most horrible times when the going got tough was 20 years and 1 day ago. Who could forget the cowardly, despicable attack on America on 9/11/01? The attacks, often referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the militant Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States of America.

That band of Satanic thugs struck fear and retaliatory rage into the heart of every American. And nothing in my recall has driven more people, at least for too brief a time, to run to, and to seek refuge in, God. Many, even of those who had never lifted a word of prayer, cried out, “Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 (NASB). For the believer, the refuge is a tower that will not fall.

There are all sorts of towers in the world.

• The tower of Siloam Jesus spoke about, which catastrophically fell and resulted in 18 deaths.

• There are towers which hold up high voltage wires.

• There are towers from which forest rangers observe the woods for fire.

• There are towers from which air traffic controllers guide the flight of millions of aircraft.

• In New Mexico, I used to work atop 100 foot towers tracking missile launches.

• There is the Eiffel Tower in France.

• There is the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

But let’s consider a tower that will never fall. The encouraging truth is that “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NASB). And the Psalmist adds, “In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71:1-3 (NKJV).

I. WE HAVE A STRONG TOWER:

A. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower.”

1. The name of the Lord has the Divine power

a. To quiet troubled hearts.

b. To vanquish Satan and to overcome temptation.

c. To cast out demons.

d. To heal our broken hearts and crushed spirits.

2. Though Satan and the world seek to intimidate and control us, invoking the name of Jesus connects us to the entire power and every resource of deliverance in Heaven.

3. So in time of attack, call on the name of Jesus. When you do you find a strong tower, because “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 (NASB).

B. David said, “I will hide in God, Who is my rock and my refuge. He is my shield And my salvation, My refuge and high tower. Thank you, O my Savior, For saving me from all my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:3 (TLB).

C. When trials and troubles, tribulations and temptations come, we need somewhere to flee, a tower that will not let us down when things are most difficult. How important it is to have someone to trust, a non-collapsible tower in time of danger, fear, and need. We have such a tower of refuge!

1. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalms 46:1 (NLT).

2. “For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.” Psalms 61:3 (NASB).

D. One woman thought she would construct a strong tower. She was anxious and worried about intruders, so Geraldine McKinsey rented an apartment on the 5th floor. She installed a steel door with 5 dead bolt locks and 3 chains and then put a brace between the knob and the floor. The windows were barred and shuttered.