Safe Shelter
Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Genesis 4:26
Read Genesis 4:25, 26
The present day seal of the Free Reformed Churches of North America is a representation of Moses appearing before the burning bush, and it bears this inscription, “And not consumed.” Our mother churches in the Netherlands have the same logo. However, formerly their seal bore the picture of a tower, which represented a saying of Solomon from Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe”.
As we examine the conclusion of Genesis 4, we are reminded of this text. Just consider what the world looked like a few years after man’s fall. We are confronted with two family lines: the one was brutally attacked and the other was the aggressor. The descendants of Cain lived without God. The other line, that of Seth, received a son, Enos. His name speaks of weak and frail humanity.
Where would the lineage of Seth and Enos find their strength and safety? Would their families, like Cain, seek refuge behind the thick walls of a city (Gen. 4:17)? Enos’ family finds a better sanctuary. They seek their safety in The Tower spoken about in Proverbs 18. Already at Enos’ birth they began to call communally upon the name of the Lord. The first church services were born out of a sense of need. When man is confronted with his sinfulness, weakness and insignificance, there is but one remedy, namely, to call upon God. When we seek the Lord, He will not cast us off!
Do you know the secret of Enos and his family? Have you learned that there is no better shelter than to find refuge in the name of the Lord? Thought: There is a Latin saying, “Nomen Jehovae Turris Fortis”, which means, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower.”
Psalter 304: 1, 2 (based on Psalm 111) O give the Lord whole hearted praise, To Him thanksgiving I will bring; With all His people I will raise My voice and of His glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace His mighty works and wondrous ways; Majestic glory, boundless grace, And righteousness His work displays.