afraid, hurting, in need,
confused, or on the run,
that’s the place you
want to be. Jesus said,
“It is not the healthy
who need a doctor, but
the sick.” (Mt. 9:12)
A church is meant
to be an infirmary, a
hospital, a place where
sick people get well.
A refuge for the poor,
not a resort for the rich.
Beautiful to God, rather
than merely beautiful to
look at. A sanctuary in
the truest sense.
. . . and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
Safe is definitely good.
10 Solutions
But the original Hebrew
gives us a clearer
picture. It means
“inaccessibly high.”
An out-of-reach place
where the Enemy
cannot touch you—
“above danger” (CJB)
and “above evil” (AMP).
What a visual! When you
run to the Lord, you are
literally “raised up” (JUB)
and “set safely on high”
(NET). I’m reminded of
my big brother, Tom,
carrying me around
on his shoulders when
I was a toddler. I was
high above the floor yet
utterly safe in his care as
I squealed with delight.
Maybe you’re familiar
with the contemporary
praise song “The Name
of the Lord Is a Strong
Tower.” It’s been running
through my head while
we’ve been chatting
here. This proverb might
also remind you of “A
Mighty Fortress Is Our
God,” a hymn written
by Martin Luther nearly
five centuries ago. Such
music stirs our souls, and
the lyrics lift our hearts.
But The Name of The
Name is what keeps us
safe.