Our Refuge

Today’s Verse:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ~Psalm 46:1

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In California, we have public places that are designated as shelters in the event of an earthquake. A very strong and long-lasting earthquake brings havoc on a city in a matter of seconds. When the earth starts to move violently, we quickly look for shelter, a place of security to keep us safe until the quake is over. These shelters are places of safe refuge until the calamity is over. That’s the setting in Psalm 46. The psalmist recalls being in the wilderness when an earthquake strikes and everything is moving violently. He recalls how God is our refuge, or shelter, during these tumultuous times.

There is the confidence in our refuge.

"God is our refuge and strength...." The psalmist's opening statement declares a 100% confidence in God’s ability. We can shelter our fears with God. We can shelter our families with God. We can shelter our future with God. There is no other resource that can shelter us from harm’s way like God can. In v. 7 and v. 11, he reiterates God as the God of Jacob Who is our refuge. Jacob was in a difficult situation in Genesis 32. He had parted ways with Laban, but he was anxious because Esau was coming to meet him. God was his refuge during that trying time. You can have complete confidence that you are safe when God is your refuge.

There is the closeness in our refuge.

He said that God was "a very present help in trouble." In other words, God is right there when we need Him. He is nearer than we think! He is there with us as everything around us is shaking. His presence steadies our faith. His presence stabilizes our outlook. His presence stirs us to cling to Him and worship Him. Think of that: a very present help in time of need. God is never far away when we need Him. If He feels far away, it is because we are the ones who have moved and not Him. You have the closeness of the Lord when everything around you is unstable.

There is the calmness in our refuge.

“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” The psalmist was perfectly calm as things around him were shaking, landslides were occurring on the mountain sides, and plumes of dust were in the air. He was calm and peaceful in the midst of all of this. How could this be? His refuge and shelter was in the Person and power of the Lord. He learned by experience that God is greater than any earthquake, any tsunami, any thunderstorm, and any calamity. He learned that God is in control of the storm and not the storm in control of Him. You can have perfect peace when everything in your world feels like it is tumbling down.

There is the capability in our refuge.

God is not only our refuge, but He is also our strength. He is stronger than any affliction, storm, tribulation, or problem. He gives us enough strength to bolster us through the shaking and the howling winds. Our strength is not in an institution, or a military power, or a military bunker. Our strength is not in anything designated as “earthquake-proof” or “storm-proof.” No, our strength is in the Lord. He makes our feeble knees to be firm. He makes our dwindling faith durable. He makes our troubled soul triumphant. His strength enables us to say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

God is our refuge! He is our omnipotent refuge. He is our overpowering refuge. He is our only refuge.

Have a sheltered God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 32-34

#Psalms #Refuge #Safeguard #Shelter