The Strong Tower – Where Do You Run When Life Attacks?

Mar 08, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord's Name is a Strong Tower

In times of trouble, everyone instinctively runs somewhere for safety and comfort. Some run to worldly solutions that offer only temporary relief or, worse, create deeper problems. The Word of God presents a far superior refuge: the name of the Lord. This name is not a mere title but represents His character, His power, and His faithful presence. It is a strong tower, an impenetrable fortress where the righteous can find true and lasting safety from every assault. [52:18]

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)

Reflection: When a challenge or fear arises this week, what is your first, automatic response? Where do you typically run for comfort or solutions, and how might intentionally calling on the name of the Lord change that pattern?

Day 2: The Urgent Need to Run to God

Acknowledging a need for God is one thing, but acting upon it requires a sense of urgency. The enemy of our souls is relentless, and casual spirituality leaves us vulnerable and exposed. Running to the tower is not a leisurely stroll; it is a decisive sprint toward the only source of true protection. This urgency is born from the realization that our own strength, resources, and wisdom are utterly insufficient to withstand the pressures we face. [01:10:39]

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5 (KJV)

Reflection: Considering the pace of your life, where have you been treating your relationship with God as a casual activity rather than an urgent necessity? What one practical step can you take this week to "run" to Him first with a specific concern?

Day 3: Letting Go to Let God

To run effectively, one must be unencumbered. We cannot sprint to the safety of the tower while still clinging to the heavy burdens, sinful habits, or worldly dependencies we are meant to escape. Entering God's safety requires a conscious decision to let go of everything we have been holding onto for security. This is an act of surrender and trust, humbly admitting that what we once relied on cannot save us, but He can. [58:50]

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

Reflection: What is one specific "weight" or habit you have been holding onto that hinders you from fully running into God's presence? What would it look like to actively lay that down at His feet today?

Day 4: Remaining in the Place of Blessing

The safety of the tower is not just for moments of crisis; it is meant to be a dwelling place. After God brings relief and victory, there is a temptation to wander back toward the seemingly attractive but ultimately vulnerable "strong city" of self-reliance and worldly pleasure. Remaining in God's will is where His continued protection and prepared blessings are found. Stepping away from His protection exposes us to dangers that were previously held at bay. [01:17:32]

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:4 (KJV)

Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where, because things are going well, you have become less diligent in prayer or Bible study? How can you cultivate a heart that stays close to God even when there is no immediate emergency?

Day 5: God's Faithfulness in Our Surrender

The decision to run to the tower and remain there is met with God's unwavering faithfulness. He does not turn away those who earnestly seek Him. His promise is safety, provision, and peace for those who trust in His name. Testimonies of His intervention are not mere stories; they are reminders that He is a present help, ready to work miracles, provide unexpectedly, and bring healing when we place our complete trust in Him. [01:35:03]

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Reflection: Recall a past situation where you clearly experienced God's provision or help after you turned to Him. How does that memory encourage you to trust Him with a current need you are facing?

Sermon Summary

The text centers on Proverbs 18:10 and issues a clear call to make the Lord’s name a refuge when life shakes. Proverbs 18:10 frames the Lord’s name as a strong tower where the righteous find safety; the tower image unfolds into practical counsel about where people run when trouble comes. The narrative contrasts false refuges—money, reputation, entertainment, substances—with the unique protection that God provides, and it illustrates that protection with historical and personal examples of endurance, healing, and unexpected provision. Practical disciplines receive attention: periodic withdrawal from social media, fasting meals, regular prayer breakfasts, and focused Bible study to rebuild spiritual hunger and relational intimacy with God.

Urgency and intentionality form a repeated theme. The account stresses that spiritual life cannot remain casual; the faithful must run urgently to the tower, relinquish competing attachments, and cultivate daily practices that keep the heart receptive. The danger of drifting appears as a recurrent warning: stepping out of God’s protective position, even after a season of blessing, invites temptation and loss of the very benefits that flowed while remaining faithful. Several testimonies underline both vulnerability and hope—medical healing for a child and a timely financial check demonstrate that reliance on God produces tangible, often surprising, help.

The material pushes for communal follow-through: outreach planning for Easter, logistical arrangements for a Shreveport fellowship, and volunteer coordination for children’s stations all model active faith that serves both insiders and seekers. The invitation closes with an altar call for renewed commitment, a palpable sense of God’s readiness to bless those who return to dependence, and practical encouragement to maintain spiritual disciplines so blessings continue. The overall tone balances pastoral urgency with confidence: the Lord’s name secures those who run to it, and ongoing presence with God sustains life through unpredictable trials.

Key Takeaways

1. Run to the strong tower The text frames the Lord’s name as an accessible refuge in real danger, not a vague doctrine. Running to that tower means moving quickly from reliance on fleeting supports to dependence on covenantal protection. This action prioritizes spiritual safety over worldly confidence and invites an immediate reorientation of trust. [50:42]
2. Let go and let God Surrender requires naming the attachments that block divine work and replacing coping strategies with practices that invite God’s agency. True surrender combines confession, concrete changes in behavior, and willingness to receive correction. This frees the heart for transformation rather than merely producing religious habit. [58:50]
3. Guard against spiritual drift Spiritual momentum fades when urgency fades; the text warns that the attractive noise of the “city” can lure the faithful away. Guarding requires vigilance—regular prayer, accountability, and honest appraisal of influences that erode devotion. Staying put in God’s will preserves the flow of blessings already set in motion. [1:16:33]
4. Practice regular spiritual disciplines Discipline like fasting, unplugging from distractions, and communal prayer rebuilds spiritual sensitivity and opens practical doors. These routines function as spiritual bandwidth—clearing space so God can pour in guidance, strength, and provision. The disciplined life cultivates receptivity rather than self-reliance. [47:59]
5. Expect God’s unexpected provision Testimonies in the text show that help often arrives from surprising quarters when reliance shifts from self to God. Expectation here means preparedness of heart and steady obedience, not passive waiting. Such expectation matures into trust that sustains through ongoing uncertainty. [1:35:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:35] - Praise and Opening Prayer
[44:15] - Easter Planning and Sunday School
[45:57] - Shreveport Fellowship Details
[47:59] - Week of Spiritual Disciplines
[49:35] - Scripture: Proverbs 18 Introduced
[50:12] - The Strong Tower Explained
[54:16] - False Refuges Exposed
[58:50] - Surrender: Let Go, Let God
[1:13:09] - Testimony: Child Healed
[1:16:33] - Warning: The Strong City Lure
[1:25:11] - Altar Call and Invitation
[1:34:05] - Provision Testimony and Offering
[1:38:17] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Observation questions

What does the imagery of a "strong tower" convey about the nature and character of God's name?
What action is the righteous person described as taking, and what is the promised result of that action?
According to the message, what are some of the "false refuges" or "strong cities" that people often run to instead of the tower? [52:03]
What practical disciplines were highlighted as ways to run to the tower and cultivate a receptive heart? [47:59]

Interpretation questions

Why is there an emphasis on the urgency of running to the tower, rather than a casual approach? What does this suggest about the nature of our spiritual enemy and the trials we face? [01:10:39]
The message contrasts the "strong tower" with the "strong city" of a rich man's wealth (Proverbs 18:11). In practical terms, what does it look like for someone to be living in the "strong city" of their own resources versus the "strong tower" of God's name?
The concept of "spiritual drift" was presented as a major danger. What are the subtle signs that someone might be beginning to drift from their place of safety in God? [01:16:33]
How does the act of "letting go" actually position a person to receive God's "unexpected provision"? What is the connection between surrender and blessing? [01:35:03]

Application questions

When life starts shaking, where is your first instinct to run? Be honest about the specific things—like money, a person, a distraction, or a substance—that can become your default refuge instead of God. [51:50]
"Letting go and letting God" requires naming the specific attachments that block His work. What is one thing you are holding onto so tightly that it might be preventing God from pouring a new blessing into your life? [01:02:17]
Guarding against spiritual drift requires vigilance. What is one practical step you can take this week to create more "spiritual bandwidth"—like fasting a meal or unplugging from social media—to ensure you stay sensitive to God's presence? [47:59]
Have you experienced a season where God's blessings seemed to flow easily, only to later feel a temptation to step out of His will because the emergency seemed over? What was that lure of the "strong city" for you, and how can you recognize it faster next time? [01:16:33]
The testimony shared showed that God's provision often comes from surprising places when we shift our reliance to Him. Is there a specific need you are trying to solve in your own strength right now? What would it look like to actively expect God to provide for it in His way and His timing? [01:35:03]
How can you make running to the "strong tower" a more urgent, daily discipline rather than a last resort? What would need to change about your morning routine or your thought patterns when a problem arises?
The message stressed that spiritual life cannot remain casual. In what one area of your walk with God have you become too casual, and what is one intentional action you will take this week to rekindle that urgency? [01:09:21]

Sermon Clips

59s

#ResistTheIllusion

“After god heals us and restores us, there's always this temptation of going backwards, going another direction. It's like a city. It's over there. And I can get to that city if I want to. But I'm in this tower, and I and I think I should stay here. But I see over the city, they're getting loud. I'm hearing the music, and then they're having a good time. It's not like there's a party over there. And there's a little whisper in my ear. Don't you wanna go over to the city? Don't you wanna go over there? Sometimes you can almost hear the laughter. You can almost see the glitter. But hear what I say. That's an illusion. An illusion. Yeah. While you're in the tower sometimes that you no longer have that urgency because nobody's beating at your door because there's no problems and you're thinking everything is alright. But it's not that there's no enemy.”

53s

#StayInGodsWill

“If you soon as you leave the strong tower and begin to make your way to the strong city, the city that's got all kind of parties and music and all this stuff to the rich man goes to the strong city, but the righteous go to the strong tower. As soon as you start making your way away from the tower because in your mind, the emergency is over. There's no enemy. You step out of that of god's will. You find out real quickly. The enemy did not leave you alone because of your good looks. The enemy did not leave you alone because of all your money. The reason why the enemy has not been bothering you lately is because you've been in the hand of God. When you step out of his will, when you step away from God's protection, you find out very quickly the devil's not afraid of you, and he has plans for you.”

56s

#PlansDontAlwaysWork

“I need somebody to stay in this one. Come on, house. Things will not always go the way you plan. How many of you ever would plan for your kid to jump on a bunch of sticky something and destroy his brand new tennis shoes that you just bought? Anybody? I was so broke that I spent all my last dollar to buy them clothes, pay the rent, get groceries, all the utilities. I just bought them some new shoes. There was a construction site near the house. How they found it? I have no idea. It was some kind of gray, maybe some reconstruction, but you can tell me. It was a gray substance. Was very sticky, and the boys thought it was very fun to jump on the stuff, and they couldn't move. Oh, that's fun. So they kept jumping on it, And then one of my sons, as he jumped on it, his foot got stuck in and he pulled it up and just ripped the soles from his brand new tennis shoes.”

42s

#RunToTheTower

“When life starts shaking, when the enemy starts pressing, when the trouble shows up at your door, I wanna ask you a question. Where do you run? See, everybody runs somewhere. Some people run to money. Some people run to family, friends. There's others that unfortunately run to alcohol, drugs, or some type of entertainment they're in or but the Bible says that there's one place that we can truly run to and be safe. See, god didn't have a place of just entertainment, of decoration, but he said that the name of the lord is like a strong tower.”

46s

#SurrenderEverything

“So, you begin to realize, without him, I can do nothing and so you begin to let go of all the things that you're holding on to. All the things in your life that you thought you couldn't live without. You say, god, I give it all to you. I lay it all at the altar. Do something in my life. Sometimes, could be very humbling. Sometimes, you can be embarrassed of some of the things that you have been holding on to. The very reason why you would not come to god, sometimes you're ashamed of that. Maybe you're holding on to a girlfriend. Maybe you're holding on to a boyfriend. Maybe you're holding on to a particular sin and then you look back on this thing. Why were they holding on to that?”

38s

#NotAloneInGod

“Some are feeling lonely. Some will feel like they're all by themselves. But when you run to the tower, he puts his arm around you and let you know you're not alone. I've got you. You're in the hand of god. And the Bible says, no man can pluck you out of his hands. We need god this morning. You you can be around a lot of people and still be lonely. Does anybody know what I'm talking about this morning? You can have a whole room full of all your family, a whole room full of so called friends, and you're feeling all by yourself because you got some struggles, situations,”

47s

#GuardYourSpiritualFire

“See, the enemy wants you to begin to think about church as a chore or as a job rather than a time to worship him. And then when you begin to think about those things, you become powerless. God god can't use you like he wants to. So that we have to get to a place, god. I'm losing my spiritual power. Speak to me lord god. Help me. It's like a man that at one time went to church and had the joy of god. But over a period of time, he's no longer had the same joy. Now, he's thinking about looking at pornography again. He's thinking about certain websites that at one time he said, no more. But you see the devil is throwing those temptations right back him again.”

51s

#UrgentForGod

“There's a time that somebody offered you something and you said, no. I'm a child of the king. I don't need that stuff anymore. But now you're starting to hang out at that same place again where you know you can obtain it. See, somewhere along the line, you gotta realize, he said, the righteous run to the tower. It's a sense of urgency. You're not just cabsy walking. The enemy's there, and you're running to the tower. You cannot take life like that casually. It has to be a sense of urgency. I need Jesus. I need god in my life. I need to pray. I need to read my Bible. I need to give myself to god. How many of you remember the time that you begin to realize in your life how much you need to get to god?”

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New Testament Christian Church - Irving, TX This sermon · AI assistant

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