Where Do You Run for Safety? – Prov 18:10-12
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into
Proverbs 18:10–12it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And asan high wall in his own conceit. Beforedestruction the heart of man is haughty, And beforehonour is humility.
Where do we run for safety and for shelter? What are we trusting in and looking to for help? Our answers to those questions reveal a lot about us.
When trouble comes, the righteous man wisely runs to the Lord. He knows that the Lord’s name (his entire character and being) is a place of safety and strength (v.10). The rich man foolishly runs to his wealth. He hides behind it like it is an impenetrable wall, but this is foolish conceit (v.11).
Pridefully trusting in the wrong thing will end in destruction. The surest way to be destroyed is to be lifted up in pride (‘haughty’). If we humbly trust the Lord, then we will often end up honoured (v.12).
As fears come your way, take careful note where you first turn? If it is to your plans, your bank accounts, your wisdom or anywhere else, then you are pridefully trusting in the wrong thing. If you first turn to the Lord, then you are humbly acknowledging that you are not able and you are on the path of wisdom and honour.