The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
— Proverbs 18:10–11 (NIV)
In the passage above, the Scriptures juxtapose two kinds of people: the first are the godly who put their trust in the name of the Lord for safety; the second are those who trust in their riches, thinking it will give them safety. In the former, the Bible says when they run in, they are indeed safe, but in the latter, He proclaims no safety—only their imagination. They imagine their riches as a wall too high to be penetrated. But is this true? Emphatically not. The Bible tells us that those who put their trust in anything but God are bound to be disappointed.
The Apostle Paul charges the rich believers not to trust in “uncertain riches.” He tells us that riches are uncertain. They do not provide the safety that people think. Only God provides true safety. Hence, the Apostle says they should trust the living God who gives all things richly. The point is, no matter the resources you have, don’t imagine them to be your defence. You will be put to shame. Trust in the Lord alone.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
— 1 Timothy 6:18–19 (NLT)
Money is so unreliable, he says. Similar to our anchor text, the name of the Lord is the only strong tower, while the wealth of the rich is only a strong defence in his own imagination. In the day of trouble, he will be shocked when money fails him. The Psalmist said some indeed trust in chariots, and others trust in horses, but our trust is to remain in the name of God. (Psalm 20:7)
I urge you today, no matter the resources you have, let your trust be only in the name of the Lord. That is our strong tower. Nothing else is reliable. All other ground is sinking sand.
Prayer
Lord, I choose today to put my trust in You alone. I reject the temptation to rely on riches or human strength. You are my strong tower—my refuge in every storm. Help me to remain grounded in You, knowing that only in You will I find true safety. Amen.
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