Strong Tower, Part Two

This is Part Two of Three posts on Proverbs 18 and 19 that reflect on the Lord as a strong tower, a fortress, a rock, a shield (Proverbs 18:10):

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

If, as discussed in Part One, we may need the fellowship of friends and fellow believers to be part of the “finishing of our faith in Christ Jesus,” anything that destroys bonds or breeds distrust diminish what God can do with us.

4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

We have an amazing capacity to communicate, but we don’t always realize just what it is we speak, and discern even less how our words are understood. I think this particular verse contrasts the source of wisdom and our words. The source of wisdom, understood perhaps as the Holy Spirit, is fast moving, like a fresh water brook, shallow in depth but not in meaning, and fleeting but only in its ability to move from point of inspiration to inspiration. Our words and thoughts, on the other hand, are deep, slow moving, at times stagnant. It seems sometimes as if almost anything can pass our lips. This also suggests that the source of wisdom might be transparent, clear, and clean, whereas our words may have hidden secrets in its depths.

19A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

The Lord is a strong tower, but enmity and strife can lock us in other types of strongholds, that bind us to violence. When we offend others with our words and actions, it can take a lot of time and effort to regain trust. We may need to make extraordinary efforts to break those barriers back down once they’re erected.

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Trust is so important in our relationships, because God so often uses the people in our lives to be part of His conversation and provision with us. And for us to be a part of His conversation and provision for others.

Part Three will consider the ways in which poverty and riches influence the security we may find in God.

Strong Tower Part One