Trusting In The Name Of The Lord

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/03/23

Read Proverbs 18:10-12.

There are many places in the world where professing faith in Christ can cost you your freedom, even your life. Yet it is in those places where people are running to Christ by the thousands—sometimes the tens of thousands. At the same time, here in the West, where people can attend church freely and proclaim their faith in Jesus publicly without fear of reprisal, many people are walking away from the true faith. They’re taking their eyes off heaven and settling for this world.

This is the state of the world today, and so I wonder if the Lord may be in the process of gathering His elect from every language, tribe, and nation. It also appears that perhaps Satan is preparing the world for the arrival of his emissary, the figure the Bible refers to as the Antichrist. Of course, we cannot know for certain how close we are to these events. Even so, there is a storm coming; you can feel it in the air. It’s undeniable. Thankfully, the Bible tells us precisely where to go to find shelter from even the fiercest of storms.

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” In that strong tower, you will have all the peace that you need. There, you’re going to behold the one who is in control of all events—even as things appear to be spinning out of control.

Let me tell you about this strong tower, which is the name of the Lord. Perhaps you know that the Old Testament uses many names to describe God. For example, there is Elohim, the living God who is to be worshiped and obeyed, fully and completely. Then, there is Yahweh, who is the God of the covenant. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who sees ahead and provides for all our needs ahead of time. He is Yahweh Rapha, the Lord our healer; Yahweh Nissi, the Lord our banner; Yahweh Mekoddishkem, the Lord our sanctifier. He is Yahweh Shalom, the Lord our peace; and Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts. He is Yahweh Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; Yahweh Shammah, the one who hears and the one who is there; Yahweh Elion, the Most High God. And He is Yahweh Roi, the Lord my shepherd. Everything you need is provided in Him—in His name.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is our rock (see 1 Corinthians 10:4). He is the only safe hiding place for us, the only secure protection we have. His name is our only defense, our place of assurance in the midst of the storm.

The sturdiest building made by man can be taken down by war or destroyed by a powerful hurricane. Those who rely on their own strength—whether it’s their money, their power, their connections, or anything else—they are standing behind a flimsy wall, nothing more than a prop from a movie. They fool themselves into thinking they’re protected, but they’re not. Only the name of the Lord is indestructible. Only those who know the name of Jesus—only those who are in Christ Jesus—can run to that name and be safe. There, they have triple-locked protection—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, You are my fortress, my very great reward. I know I can run to You and find shelter and hope that does not disappoint. Help me to trust You as circumstances around me grow bleak. May I point others to Jesus, the Savior. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).