The Value of a Strong Fortification

One of the fascinating things about visiting lands with an ancient history is the chance to see old forts and castles.  We don't have many of these impressive old structures here in the United States, but anyone who tours their crumpled remains can tell that a vast amount of time and effort went into their creation and upkeep.  Why such an expense in an era of scarcity?  Because they were absolutely necessary.  The strong walls and secure gates of an ancient city gave its population a sense of security in a world full of uncertainty.  When an enemy army appeared, people needed to know that they had a place to retreat to and find safety.
In Proverbs 18:10, we are told "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  The people of Israel knew the value of strong defensive structures because they were surrounded by hostile neighbors and situated at the midpoint between rival superpowers.  God's people had plenty of occasions to retreat into strongholds.  Yet the text is telling us something surprising; the name of the LORD is the source of refuge and strength.  Not a physical wall of stone, nor an iron reinforced gate, rather simply the name of God. 
How can the name of God be a refuge for the people of God?  The name of God represents the promises of God.  When God wanted to bring mankind back from wandering in despair he began with a Covenant with Abraham.  God's Covenant was a series of promises and obligations both by God and by Abraham.  As such, the name of God was symbolic of his promises to save and protect his people.  When God called Moses to lead the people out of Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land he told Moses that his name, "I AM", would be sufficient for the people to know that Moses really represented God. 
The protection offered by God has often been a physical salvation for his people, safety from all sorts of dangers, but in the end, that isn't good enough.  If God were to protect his people from danger throughout their lives and yet make no provision for their souls beyond death, his protection would be a short-term success but a long-term failure.  Thankfully, in addition to help and support as we live our lives now, God offers to those who follow him, the righteous, the promise that their hope in him will never be in vain.  Even if in this world we are to suffer, even if in this world our lives are lost due to violence of evil men, we will have our hope, our refuge, secure in the very name of God.  All those who run to God for safety will find a strong tower, a refuge secure against any storm.