King David was no stranger to adversity. He experienced physical weakness, deep discouragement and often faced extreme danger from his powerful enemies.
He frequently used word pictures to describe the hope he found in God for his immediate crisis and for eternity.
In Psalm 61:3 he says of the Lord: “You are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”
This verse immediately brings to mind the image of something real. His use of the word tower in this way speaks encouragement to us today.
In David’s day, cities had fortified towers where people could take refuge from their attackers. The men who defended the city could come against the enemies at ground level from a higher position. This gave them a huge advantage. From the top of these towers, watchmen could see approaching enemies from a long distance away and alert the troops who could prepare accordingly.
Today, a follower of God can be surrounded and besieged by calamity and yet stay above the fray because of the blessing of being in Christ. It’s as though the Holy Spirit within the believer creates a cocoon of perfect peace in the midst of a storm. And storms do come. But the name of Jesus our Lord remains a sure refuge.
Secondly, from the top of the tower one can see beyond the immediate. In Christ, we have a long view, a hope beyond today and its circumstances. It’s an eternal perspective.
David’s son, Solomon, builds on these words and says: “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
How do we enter the tower? We enter firstly by calling on the name of the Lord who saves. Salvation in Christ has huge implications for both today and for eternity as we read in the New Testament.
Today as the world is besieged with terrifying threats, we can hope in Christ, our strong tower. The song “In Christ Alone” sums it up well.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.
As believers we know this precious truth. And every person in our community, nation and world needs to know it as well. EHC is committed to help people hear this message of hope.