The Sweet Truth About The Strong Tower

Date: SUN 11:30 AM 25th May 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a strong tower:
the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Sermon Summary: Proverbs 18:10 – “The Sweet Truth About the Strong Tower”

Introduction (0:00–3:16)
The sermon, delivered in response to recent funerals within the congregation, shifts from a planned discussion on baptism to a message of encouragement based on Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” The preacher emphasizes the need for a uplifting word to lighten the journey through life’s hardships. The sermon is titled “The Sweet Truth About the Strong Tower” and aims to provide comfort and hope by exploring the imagery and spiritual significance of this verse.

Scriptural Context (0:45–2:58)
The sermon begins with a reading of Proverbs 18:1–12, setting the stage for the focal verse, Proverbs 18:10. The preacher highlights the recurring biblical imagery of a “tower,” noting that the word appears 60 times in the Authorized Version of the Bible, with “strong tower” mentioned five times, symbolizing God’s grace (as five is considered the number of grace in biblical numerology). The verse is presented as a source of encouragement, particularly in the context of recent losses, reminding the congregation of God’s protective and unchanging nature.

Main Theme: The Similitude of the Tower (3:35–18:08)
The preacher uses the metaphor of a “strong tower” to describe God’s character and provision for His people. Key points include:

The Name of the Lord (7:10–14:32)
- The phrase “the name of the Lord” is not a magical formula but a call to reflect on God’s revealed character through Scripture. The preacher references the Shorter Catechism’s definition of God as “a spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.”
- The “name of the Lord” encapsulates God’s attributes and His covenantal relationship with His people. Various names of God are cited to illustrate this, such as:
  - Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is my peace)
  - Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will provide)
  - Jehovah Easer (The Lord is my helper)
  - Jehovah Rufa (The Lord is my healer)
  - Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my banner)
  - Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord is my righteousness)
  - Jehovah Raah (The Lord is my shepherd)
- These names reveal God’s multifaceted character, offering peace, provision, help, healing, protection, righteousness, and guidance. The preacher emphasizes that God is unchanging (“I am the Lord, I change not” – Malachi 3:6) and faithful in His promises, as seen in Romans 11:33–36.
- The “strong tower” ultimately points to Christ, who embodies God’s attributes and fulfills the covenant of redemption and grace. Christ is described as the unshakeable, indestructible spiritual tower where believers find safety, redemption, and rest (1 Corinthians 1:30; Acts 4:12).
The Imagery of the Tower (4:10–7:47, 15:11–16:26)
- In biblical times, towers were built for survival, security, and safety, often made of solid rock with deep foundations, placed prominently to be seen from afar, and designed to be impregnable. Examples include the Tower of Babel, Tower of Edar, and Tower of Shechem.
- In modern times, towers like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Tower of London, the Eiffel Tower, and the Ulster Tower evoke both historical and cultural significance, but the preacher contrasts these with the spiritual tower of God’s presence.
- The tower’s strength lies in its unshakable foundation, prominence, and ability to protect those inside from external threats. Similarly, God in Christ provides redemption, preservation, and resources for His people.

The Security of the Tower (18:08–27:44)
The preacher underscores the safety found in God as the “strong tower,” contrasting it with false sources of security:

A Safe Place in Times of Trouble (18:28–22:58)
- The preacher recounts a visit to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, where a tower bore the inscription “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing,” reflecting Martin Luther’s hymn. This tower, part of the church, symbolized safety for citizens during times of war.
- A biblical example from Judges 9:50–53 illustrates this: when the city of Thebez was attacked, its people fled to a strong tower for safety, and a woman’s act of throwing a millstone from the tower defeated the enemy, Abimelech.
- The “strong tower” represents God standing between His people and life’s dangers, offering protection in both physical and spiritual storms. The preacher acknowledges that trials are inevitable (“Ye shall have tribulation” – John 16:33) but encourages believers to find refuge in God.
False Securities (23:16–26:33)
- The preacher contrasts the safety of the “strong tower” with the false security of riches, self-righteousness, and religious observance:
  - Riches: Proverbs 18:11 describes the rich man’s wealth as his “strong city,” but riches cannot redeem the soul or provide eternal security (Psalm 49:6–8). The example of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, filled with riches yet unable to preserve his life, illustrates this.
  - Self-Righteousness: Good works are important as evidence of faith but cannot save. Salvation is through Christ alone (Acts 4:12).
  - Religious Observance: The church itself does not save; only Christ does. The preacher cites Luther’s realization that Christ’s righteousness, not personal merit, brings freedom from sin’s guilt and punishment.
Christ as the True Safe Place (27:25–28:40)
- The preacher emphasizes that true safety is found only in Christ, who bears the believer’s sin and imparts His righteousness. A story about a woman named Margarita, who expressed her desire to “go home to heaven” rather than her earthly home, illustrates the assurance found in Christ.
- The reality of death is acknowledged, with the reminder that no one is immune to it due to sin. Only Christ provides safety in the face of death.

The Subjects of the Tower (28:58–30:43)
The “righteous” who run to the tower are those who are truly saved, born again, and justified by Christ’s blood. The preacher clarifies:

Not all people are “children of God” simply by creation; only those born into God’s family through faith in Christ (John 1:12) are His children.
The righteousness of the saved is imputed Penalized (imputed in justification) and imparted (in sanctification), enabling believers to claim “The Lord is my righteousness.”
The preacher challenges the congregation to examine whether they are among the righteous, truly born again and trusting in Christ.

The Sprint to the Tower (30:43–36:09)
The preacher emphasizes the urgency of seeking refuge in God:

The “righteous runneth into it” (Proverbs 18:10) implies a swift, purposeful response to danger, not a casual stroll. Life is described as short and full of trouble (Job 14:1), with believers facing physical and spiritual challenges, including persecution, doubt, and attacks from the world, flesh, and devil.
Believers are urged to “sprint” to the tower—Christ—for refuge in times of trouble, hiding in His character, covenant, and person. A poignant story of a man in New Zealand, who found salvation just before his wife’s tragic act of murdering their children and taking her own life, illustrates the difference Christ makes in providing peace amid unimaginable grief.

The Setting of the Tower (35:30–36:30)
The Hebrew word for “safe” in Proverbs 18:10 means “set aloft,” suggesting that believers in Christ are lifted above their enemies into a place of safety and heavenly perspective. The tower (Christ) is prominently positioned, offering protection and elevation above life’s dangers. The preacher concludes by encouraging the congregation to find safety, certainty, and joy in Christ, who lifts His people into “heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6).

Conclusion (36:30–36:46)
The sermon closes with a prayer for God to apply His Word to the congregation’s hearts, reinforcing the message that the “sweet truth” of the strong tower—God’s character revealed in Christ—offers hope, security, and refuge for the righteous amidst life’s storms.

Key Takeaways

The “name of the Lord” represents God’s unchanging character and covenantal promises, fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate strong tower.
True safety is found not in riches, self-righteousness, or religious observance, but in Christ alone.
The righteous, those born again through faith, are called to urgently seek refuge in Christ during physical and spiritual trials.
In Christ, believers are “set aloft,” elevated above dangers and given eternal security and hope.