The Tower

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The Tower

By Paula Moldenhauer

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

The bitter north wind. A wave. A storm.

For the last month we’ve used powerful metaphors to describe difficulty. But we’ve also embraced powerful pictures of safety—like resting in the middle of the boat, being held in the Lord’s hand, and focusing our minds on Christ so that we can live in perfect peace.

This week I leave you with another picture of safety: a tower. This image became an increasing focus for me as the Lord brought it to me from various sources over the last five months.

One of these sources was an email from a friend. I asked permission to share a portion of it:

“The Lord told me we are all facing the storm, and to pray for protection. To pray that the feet of those caught in the tempest’s gale stay planted firmly on the rock of His foundation and not be swept away.

“So I did.

“Immediately following the prayer, I had a vision. In it I saw the ocean swell. The waves grew in great height and density, rolling back and forth like a mighty force was surging the sea up—higher and higher until it could go no further, then rolling it back over itself as it crashed and pummeled back to the point from where it began.

“Suddenly, without warning, out of the middle of the swell shot a light—straight and pure—bursting forth in pale hues of pink, yellow and orange. The colors streamed upward into the sky, pulsing and blending from the outside in until they exploded into a bright yellowish-white.

“Then, from the center of the light, an ivory tower arose. Tall, strong, and magnificent, it had a keep that shone like the sun and was impenetrable.

“As I watched, the waves continued to swell and lash at the tower; but the tower did not budge. In fact, as each wave heaved its fury at the walls, the tower expanded in height and breadth to become even more magnificent and powerful than before.

“Then I heard the Lord say, ‘This is My strong tower. This is where you are to take refuge during the storm. This is where you will find My protection—protection from the storm!’

“Afterwards the Lord said to write down Proverbs 18:10, and to tell His righteous to call on His name and they will be saved . . . saved from the waves of the sea and the darkness that looms beneath its surface. For in His strong tower, they will find safety from the storm. That is His promise!”

Friend, we all have stormy times. Frightened and vulnerable, we’re tempted to try to run from the waves. When we can’t outrun them, we pray, sometimes for an extended time, that we be released from the hardship.

But instead of relief, life gets harder.

Confusion, fear, and even despair threaten as the waves hit.

I don’t pretend to understand why God allows the things He does. I do know Scripture shows that His people go through hard times.

He never promised a life without storms.

But He does promise Himself.

His name is the strong tower, the place of refuge.

Friend, I don’t know what storms brew beneath the surface of your life, but I do know where to turn when they erupt and spew their frightening venom.

Call upon the name of Jesus. Talk to Him from the real you—whether the day finds you strong and peaceful, angry and accusing, timid and fearful, or in some crazy state of all those emotions. Scriptures tells story after story of those who called upon Him in their distress and were rescued. There is no pattern in the Bible of God saving only the strong. In fact, He seems to be especially moved by the cries of the weak.

The most important part of every story seems to be that His people, whether courageous or timid, know where to go.

They run to the Tower.

I leave you with the following poem, written by my sixteen-year-old in response to this week’s verse.

Proverbs 18:10

By Sarah Moldenhauer

Waves crashing
Wind billowing
Water racing
Weight pushing

Confusion
Disorder
Panic

Bracing for the worst
Breaking under the pressure
Bouncing against the walls
Bending to stand

Confusion
Tension
Hopeless

Finding the light
Forcing through
Facing the world
Falling into strong arms

Confusion
Love
Trust