If you've read any Dan Brown books, the mythology and lore of Roman art and architecture probably have a much different significance for you than what it really holds. While these ancient sites likely have more than their fair share of secrets and scandals, it's not likely quite the way he depicts it. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is Castel Sant'Angelo. In his book "Angels And Demons", he makes this place out to be the illicit lair of the Illuminati, complete with super-secret passageway to the Vatican. In reality, it's served many purposes throughout history - one of them being safe storage for the Pope, for which the "secret" passageway does indeed exist, albeit very visibly.
The building began its life as a tomb for the Roman emperor Hadrian in 138, and other emperors were also buried there. However, following the fall of Rome it was vandalized and fell into disrepair, as so many things did. It eventually became a military fortress, and by the 14th century it became a sort of Papal castle. It was generally intended to be used to house the Pope in times of crisis - something Clement VII was thankful for in 1527. It was also a prison, as immortalized in Puccini's Tosca, and is now a rather benign museum.Nonetheless, I can hardly look at an old castle without thinking of the Bible's multiple references to castles and fortresses. Maybe these analogies don't work as well in our day, since we don't really have them around any more. But when I look at Castel Sant'Angelo, I know exactly what Proverbs intends us to hear: God is vast, secure, spacious, and most importantly, unbelievably strong. Just as the Pope would run to this castle in time of greatest need, so we run to our God when things seem most desperate. No matter what the crisis, God will protect. God will shield. When we are granted the faith to claim God as our God, we are granted everything that comes with it, including everlasting security.
One of my seminary professors noted that most people have trouble with this concept seeing as how much goes wrong in life: sickness, injury, war, famine, death. He noted that given all these horrors, it's remarkable that we are able to survive at all. He attributes this to God's eternal protection and guidance. It's the only thing that keeps things going. In a world of danger and disease, our God is a strong tower that gives us refuge.
Lord God, in you we are promised refuge. Your guidance and mercy give hope even when things seem darkest. Grant us the faith to trust you in all things, keeping the faith always. Please shield us from the terrors of life, and give us healing when they attack us. In all things, we praise you and your strength, no matter what. All these things we know and believe in your Son's gracious name, Amen.
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