If you get a chance, read Psalm 46 today. It begins: “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil.” [vs1-3 HCSB]
I was thinking about some of the ‘troubles’ I face in my life now. When I compare them with the troubles others face, I should probably define them as minor annoyances.
Amid our troubles (or minor annoyances) God reminds us that he is our refuge and strength. Refuge … not sure what it means in the Hebrew, but I sure know what it means in the English … my sanctuary, shelter, protection, and safe haven. And let’s face it strength is understood in any language!
But what really caught my eye was that our God is “a helper who is always found,” or as some translations say … “an ever-present help.”
He is always available, always present with me. I don’t have to take one of those numbers like you do at the deli or ice cream parlor and wait around for others ahead of me to get the help they need first. Our God is ever-present. Always ready to be our refuge and strength!
I know my main problem is that I usually try to figure things out myself first instead of just running to the One who is my refuge, sanctuary, shelter, protection, safe haven, and strength.