The name of the Lord is a strong tower (Prov.18:10)
In our daily lives, we face a lot of difficulties, troubles, pressures, disappointments. After struggling to cope up with all these, we finally realize that life does not seem easy. In these days of rapid change, it seems we have no one to turn to in our difficulties. Our daily life becomes a battle as we try to balance our work and personal life. One fine day we turn to the Bible to see if we can draw some hope or encouragement from it. Pro 18:10 says,’ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’ In such times we should remember that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens (Eph.6:12).
Troubles are not new to man. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (Job.14:1) But in times of such troubles, we should turn to our Almighty Elohim. The Name of Elohim , YHWH, means the Eternal One. He has been from eternity, He is everlasting! He is the Elohim who has been with and guided the prophets of old.
Elohim appeared to Abraham and told him to offer his son Isaac for a burnt offering to Elohim. Abraham did not hesitate but did as Elohim commanded. After going up the mountain, Isaac asked his father where the sacrificial goat was. As Abraham was about to take up the knife, the Lord stopped him and showed him a ram to be offered up for a sacrifice. Abraham called that place ‘Jehovajireh’ which means ‘the Lord will provide’. Even today, Elohim will provide all our needs.
When Moses led the people of Israel, the Amalekites came to make war. While Joshua was battling them, Moses along with Aaron and Hur, went up the mountain. As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, but when he put down his hands, Amalek prevailed. Israel defeated Amalek, and Moses built an altar there and called the place ‘Jehovanissi’, which means ‘the Lord is our banner’. Moses was praying to Elohim during the battle.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Moses’ weariness, shown by the lowering of his hands, signifies the truth that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). “Jehovah-Nissi” is a reminder to us that we can only be victorious as we honor the name of the Yahweh and rally to Him as our Banner.
Gideon was a farmer who was called by Elohim to be a general of Israel.(Judg.6:24) An angel of the Lord came and appeared to Gideon in Ophrah. There Gideon offered a sacrifice unto Elohim and Elohim proclaimed peace to Gideon and Gideon called the place Jehovashalom because the Lord ordained peace for him. Gideon’s army was poorly trained but because he trusted in Elohim, he won the battle. All who are filled with fear, doubt, stress, or uncertainty can trust that Jehovah Shalom cares for them and will never leave them. As it is written in 2 Thes.3:16 ,“now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
When Jeremiah spoke this prophecy, the kingdom of Judah was about to fall. The land of Judah was full of idolatry, oppression, violence, and political revolution. The Northern kingdom of Israel had gone into captivity 100 years before and Judah seemingly learned nothing from God's judgment upon them. It was under these conditions God gave this prophecy of Jehovah-Tsidkenu, which means Yahweh our righteousness. (Jer.23:6) Jeremiah had been repeatedly warning the Israelites in exile, but they would not listen to him. He was cast into the dungeons, in a miscarriage of justice. Later he was brought out of the dungeons and kept in prison.
This name speaks of the fact that God will always do that which is right…because He is righteous!
Daniel was a man of prayer, he prayed three times a day, always trusting the Yahweh Elohim. When he was thrown into the den of lions, Elohim shut up the mouth of the lions and Daniel was safe. When he was brought out of the lions’ den, he testified, ‘My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me:’ (Dan.6:22) He trusted in the name of Yahweh and was safe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and is safe. Yes, Elohim is our refuge. He is Jehovahjireh our provider, He is Jehovahnissi our banner, He is Jehovahshalom our peace, He is Jehovah Tsidkenu our righteosness. He is our helper in times of trouble.
