Psalm 46:1
New Living Translation
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in
times of trouble.”
A ‘refuge’ is a safe house or haven; a place where we
can feel and actually be safe. David announces that God, Himself, is our
refuge. When we are weak and cannot go on, God is our strength. When we are
down and out, so low we can barely see light, He is our ever-present help. He
is omnipresent, which means that God is everywhere at the same time. His Spirit
pierces the darkness that exists in this world. His presence is as a bright
light turned on in a pitch-dark room. No matter what trouble we may find
ourselves in, God is there in the midst of it. He always provides a way of
escape from each and every temptation or difficulty. It is our responsibility
to be attentive and in tune with Him so that we might recognize that escape
route. The words used in the above verse are definitive and unchanging. It is
not that God was or will be our refuge and strength, but rather is.
The word ‘is’ encompasses past, present and future. He is constant; He
never changes (Malachi 3:6). It’s like the name that He gives Himself; He is
not I WAS or I WILL BE, but rather I AM (Exodus 3:18).
“God is constant. He does not change: He
does not grow; He does not evolve; He does not develop—He is not susceptible to
change. All His perfections are without
variation, without addition or subtraction and without progression or mutation.
He does not increase nor decrease in strength and wisdom. His glory does not fade
or become more glorious; His righteousness and truth are not added to or
diminished. His knowledge does not expand, and His decrees do not change. His
promises are steadfast; His word remains unadjusted for all eternity.” (1)
Christians struggle through life just as non-Christians do. The difference is
that we have chosen to believe that there is a God that loves us and cares for
us. For seekers of the truth, it is the one thing that seems to make sense
though at the same time illogical. God’s Spirit created a spark in our soul
igniting the faint ember that exists deep within every man. Relying on an
unseen deity doesn’t make us weak as some would say for it requires faith and
everyone has faith in something or someone. Christians happen to place their
faith in an unseen God, believing in him as if He could be seen. His works are
all around us, yet can only be seen by those who see thru spiritual eyes. It is
in the stillness that we sense the presence of God, not in the chaotic
cacophony of sound that so frequently surrounds us. God’s presence can be felt
sitting on a porch in your own backyard listening to the sounds of nature. He
can be found in the silent meditation of His word. It is our choice to believe
as we choose. There is a right choice and a wrong choice. Only we can know in
our soul what the correct choice is. It is not a heart decision, for that
allows emotion to dictate the choice made. It is not a choice of the mind, for
intellect is not ultimately required. Our soul cries out for love, peace and
forgiveness and our soul knows from whence that comes. It only comes from the
One who created it.
Until next time, walk with the King and be a
blessing!
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible, published by
Tyndale House.
(1) www.embracedbytruth.com; Embraced by Truth …
Reflections on Theology and Life; author unknown.
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