PSALM 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. – Selah.”
Quick two question quiz. What great hymn of the faith is based on today’s scripture? Who wrote it? The answers are A Mighty Fortress is Our God and the author was the reformer Martin Luther. This hymn and its associated scripture has been the Christian’s armor and battle cry throughout history and remains so for today’s church. It is powerful, encouraging, and will see a believer through every and all the various trials, temptations and afflictions in our lives.
As we ponder these glorious truths found in this Psalm, to go through every word for word is needed if we want to see and experience its liberating power in our lives. For instance, we may believe and proclaim God is our refuge and strength, but when the heat of trial is upon us, is God “a very present help in trouble” as our refuge and strength? Or do we languish in fear, unbelief, and uncertainty that He truly is those places of safety for us? Knowing truth isn’t enough in the Christian life. Remember, even the devils know and tremble – You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder! (James 2:19). And for certain, they experience nothing of God as a refuge and strength! For the Christian, known truth must be relied and acted upon truth. That is called “faith in action” and when reading the “hall of fame of faith” chapter of the bible, Hebrews 11, pay attention to all the actions of God’s people that He recognizes as faith.
So how would we know if we are believers living out with confidence that God is our refuge and strength? What would indicate we are relying upon Him as such and not giving into fear, anxiety, and unbelief in this crazy world? It follows in verse two. The circumstances in the Psalmist’s life have not changed. Nor does he anticipate that God is going to remove all difficulties in life, but he does rest that God will be his refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. That is confident faith in action. That is a belief that trusts regardless of what is seen or felt. God has promised to be our source of strength, help, protection, and provision. What that doesn’t mean is the complete removal of troubles in a cursed world, yet, faith looks beyond the seen to the God who is – a very present help in trouble. Trust Him. No matter what. He will be true to Himself and His people.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for not being a detached, distant, and disinterested God to me.”
QUOTE: “God is our refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble. Don’t doubt. Praise Him for it.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim