His Name is a Fortified Tower

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

In an article titled “Does running really wreck your knees?” published by the Washington Post Wednesday, the writer said, “Almost all runners, whether veterans or newcomers, poky or fleet, youthful or antique, share one bond. Someone soon will warn us that we are ruining our knees. “A lot of people think that running is bad” for knees and other joints, said Jean-Francois Esculier, a clinical professor of physical therapy at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, who studies running. But accumulating research, including studies from Esculier and others, generally shows the reverse. In these studies, distance running does not wreck most runners’ knees and, instead, fortifies them, leaving joints sturdier and less damaged than if someone had never taken up the sport.“ That’s good news for us runners isn’t it?

And you know, when it comes to things that are fortified, the Bible tells us that “the name of the Lord is a fortified tower” and “the righteous run to it and are safe.” To fully understand this, consider that a person’s name in ancient times was much more than a random identifier or title. It expressed the person’s nature and individual attributes. Thus, God’s name represents His essential character and authority and is a strong tower because the infinite heights and depths of His person, presence, and power are captured in that name. The righteous—those who are made right with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ— then can run to Him in all His revealed faithfulness, strength and power and be barricaded inside His tower of protection, safe from all harm. Do you just love that or what?

So keep on running without fear of wearing out your knees my friend. Most importantly though, keep running to the One who has the Name above all names so that you can bask in the shelter of the Almighty God. You'll be so glad you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for having the only Name that believers can run to and find refuge from the storms of this world. Thank You for your faithfulness through all generations and for loving us despite all our shortcomings. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!