God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam . . . Selah (Psa 46:1-3). These verses seem the only appropriate words anyone can offer the people in Texas and Louisiana. Yet remember, these words extend the offer of hope while people remain in the midst of devastating conditions with months of recovery still ahead. Tens of thousands have lost everything they own with all or part of their homes under water. Add to that they may not have a job to which they can return and if they do, they no longer have a car to get there. So, how can a few verses of a Hebrew song encourage anyone?
The writers of this Psalm, the sons of Korah, gave the answer with the first word they penned. The Psalm begins by reminding us the source of all the hope and encouragement the song promises is God. Israel knew from experience that anytime trouble came, the Lord God was there. The second stanza concludes the first verse with a strong declaration, God . . . A very present help in trouble. Note it doesn’t just say a present help. No, the writers chose to emphasize His presence by adding ‘very’. This word means exceedingly, abundantly, or to a great degree. In other words, God is not merely present; He is exceedingly and abundantly present. He is with us as our refuge and strength. The word used for refuge is fitting for the victims of the storm. It means a shelter from rain or storm, and from danger. Little needs to be said about Him being your strength other than a reminder He is omnipotent or all-powerful. Nothing exists comparable to His strength. No trouble lies beyond His power.
Essential for receiving encouragement from this Psalm we must understand that God’s help in times of trouble doesn’t mean He snaps His finger and instantly life returns to normal. Neither does it mean that supernaturally a new house or car will appear. The 2010 flood in Nashville destroyed my son’s music studio. No help came from any of the relief agencies, but friends, neighbors, and even people he didn’t know showed up and went to work. That was God being very present in his time of trouble through people. It amazed me watching the rescues taking place the past few days coming from ordinary people with their bass boats, wave runners, jon-boats, and air boats. Then a group that most had never heard of—the Cajun Navy, an organized group of men from the swamps of the Louisiana bayou with their boats and monster trucks. They lived through Katrina’s aftermath and understood first-hand the pain, confusion, and desperation the people are experiencing and they came to be a refuge and strength. God is not only working in the unseen spiritual realm, He is the manifesting His love and help through people.
The Psalmists take the level of trouble a step further in verse two, when the earth shakes and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea (NET). The earth shakes literally means to the point the earth changes. Imagine an entire mountain crumbling into the ocean, the sea, or a lake. Even with this degree of disaster, the verse begins with the writers’ affirmation, we will not fear. I’m sitting here pondering if I could make such a statement facing those kinds of events. The key comes from the first word, therefore, which is common in the Bible, easily overlooked, yet a powerful word. It means ‘on account of’ what the writer just stated in the previous verse or section, I can do the following. The NET Bible translates it, For this reason. The first verse is their reason. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (v1). Put this into a principle: For this reason, because God is abundantly present as my refuge and strength I can face the worst of troubles.
I’m unsure if this SW will reach the people who need it most because they lack normal means for media communication. Nevertheless, we can offer these verses as a prayer for them. Lord God, You offer Yourself as a refuge and strength for all the people affected by this disaster. Make them aware of Your presence in this time of trouble. Assure them regardless of what may happen in the coming weeks—though the earth around them changes or mountains fall into the sea—they need not fear for You are abundantly present.
The writers didn’t connect this to any particular trouble as David did when he penned Psalm 142 about his experience in the cave of Adullam. Most of you aren’t in the aftermath of a hurricane; however, you may be struggling in your own troubles. This psalm also applies to you. God is present; ask Him to be your refuge and strength. Verse 3 ends, Selah which means pause and meditate on what these verses proclaim.
Sustaining Word for the Week: For this reason, because God is very present, He is your refuge and strength for all your times of trouble.