July 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I am insecure

God’s Encouraging Word … when I am insecure

What is the strongest building in your neighborhood?  I’m guessing that many people have never even thought about it, but if you live in a trailer home in tornado alley or near an ocean where hurricanes can strike, you’ve probably considered that question many times.  When a tornado approaches or a hurricane, being in a building that you know is constructed to withstand the worst, provides a sense of security in the chaos of a storm. 

Where do you go when the threat isn’t from the weather?  Where do you go when you and your spouse are having a rough time?  Where do you go when the doctor says, “I’m sorry, it’s cancer.”  Where do you go when you did something that really hurt a person you love and you can’t change it now?  Where do you go when you are troubled with thoughts of what lies beyond this life?  The Bible gives us the answer.  

In the book of Proverbs, God’s Word says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” 

Does that mean if we call on God, he will whisk away whatever trouble or hardship is weighing us down?  No, the storms of life will rage on, but like a strong building, God will give us what we need to weather the storms.  When we connect with him by reading the Bible or hearing his promises as we attend worship services, God gives us strength.  There we find the LORD God who loves us no matter how big the messes we have made in life.  There we find the LORD God who loves us no matter how much confidence we have in ourselves.  There we find the LORD God who doesn’t leave us asking, “Have I been good enough?” or “Have I done enough?”  Instead, we find the LORD God who has freely given us a place in heaven after we die.  There we find the LORD God who will give us the strength we need to survive the storms of this life until we reach the next. 

Have you noticed that many churches have a tower or steeple?  What a fitting reminder that in these buildings we find the LORD God who is the strongest tower ever built!  This Sunday would be a good time to visit.