A Refuge in Uncertain Times
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to Him and are safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10 (NLT)
In every generation, people have faced trouble—wars, disease, disappointment, betrayal, and loss. While times and technology change, the human heart still longs for one thing: safety. Peace. A refuge from the storm.
Proverbs 18:10 offers a promise as relevant today as it was when first written. It doesn’t point to temporary shelter or emotional escape but to something far greater:
“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress…”
This is not poetic language alone—it’s a spiritual reality. In ancient times, a fortress was the most secure structure available. It was designed to withstand attack, guard against invaders, and provide safety to those within. Scripture is saying that God Himself is that place of refuge for His people.
To trust in the name of the Lord is to trust in His nature—His character, His faithfulness, His strength, His mercy, and His justice. His name represents all that He is. And when life presses hard, His name becomes a shield for those who turn to Him.
But there is a response required:
“The godly run to Him and are safe.”
It is not enough to admire the idea of God’s protection or to agree with it intellectually. The safety is found by those who run to Him—actively, urgently, humbly. God is not distant. He invites the weary, the overwhelmed, the broken-hearted to come close and take shelter.
What does it look like to run to the name of the Lord?
- Prayer — Turning our thoughts and emotions to Him rather than trying to bear them alone.
- Worship — Lifting up His name in song and praise, even in difficulty, reorients the heart to truth.
- Scripture — Immersing ourselves in His Word reminds us of who He is and what He has promised.
- Christian community — Being with others who trust in God strengthens our own resolve and reminds us we are not alone.
The world offers many false refuges: distractions, wealth, opinions, or control. But none of them can hold in the day of trouble. Only the Lord is unshakable.
Final thought:
In a world of shifting sand, God is the solid rock. His name is not just a label—it is a living place of protection and peace. When you feel the heat of the battle or the weariness of the journey, don’t just stand outside the tower admiring it—run inside. Run to the name of the Lord.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
— Jesus (Matthew 11:28)
May you find fresh strength and peace today in the strong name of the Lord.
