Scripture: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”- Psalm 46:1
Examination: This psalm is written to comfort and reassure us of who God is and what He can do. The author reminds us that despite all the hardships we encounter in life, God is with us through every one. We are reminded that God is truly our refuge, and He is faithful to deliver us from every trial and tribulation we face.
Application: On this date in 1971, I lived in southern California just north of Los Angeles. That morning in the pre-dawn hours, I was jolted awake by a severe earthquake that registered 6.6 on the Richter scale and lasted approximately 60 seconds. My bed felt as though it had turned to Jello and was being violently shaken by an unseen intruder. To this day, I can still hear myself screaming for my dad. Somehow, he made it to my bedroom and hurried my mom and me out of the house to the safety of our front yard.
As the sun rose, the damage in my neighborhood became apparent. Parts of homes had collapsed; stone walls had tumbled into pieces, and parked cars had been tossed against other cars or structures. We had no power, no water, no communication with the outside world (there were no cell phones back then!), and I was terrified!
Along with our neighbors, we “camped” out on the front lawn for several days as the massive aftershocks kept all of us from reentering our houses for fear of becoming injured or trapped inside. Later we found out how extensive the damage was, including the collapse of one hospital in which I frequently volunteered. With each passing hour, we learned more and more about the devastation from the earthquake. Despite my fears with each tremor, I was comforted by the presence of my father. I knew he would take care of me… and he did.
Tragedies in life happen to all of us at one time or another. A terminal diagnosis, the loss of a long-held job, a fatal accident, a random act of violence… there are so many devastating events that leave us frightened and uncertain of what the future holds. In order to get through these situations, some individuals resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drug use, social isolation, or even running away from God.
When terrible things happen in our lives, it doesn’t mean that God is angry with you or has forsaken you. We live in a sin-cursed world, and unfortunately, bad things still happen to good people. Ecclesiastes 9:2 confirms, “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.” However, when challenges come into our lives, we can always run to our heavenly Father. Nahum 1:7 assures us, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
As a Christian, I am not immune to adversity in life, but when it comes, I can go to the Lord knowing that He is with me. He is my Father; I am His child, and He will take care of me always. He hears me when I cry out to Him, and He promises to help me. Psalm 34:4 states, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” He promised in Psalm 23:4 that He would walk with me through every valley that I face. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me...” Deuteronomy 31:8 records the promise, “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Jesus is my peace through every trial or tribulation, and I can trust Him completely regardless of the outcome because He promises in Romans 8 that in His time, He will make everything good according to His purpose. His promises come from His great love for us. He does not love us when it is convenient for Him; He loves us deeply and sacrificially always and forever. Because of that, we know we can cling to Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Be sure the next time you are experiencing life’s most difficult situations, you run to your heavenly Father. He has promised to take care of you, and He will do exactly that.
Memory Verse: “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” – Psalm 9:9
Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
(from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)
Isa.41:10 is one verse that has helped me in dark trials and GOD has proved HIS faithfulness to me each day. HE is my foundation that holds me up in every trial.