God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalms 46:1-2 KJV
Before I claim the blessing in the latter part of today's extract, I need to sort out my priorities as laid out in the former part of the same extract. Today's extract introduces God to us: a refuge and strength. What is the use of a refuge if there is no risk of danger or peril? What is the basis of the promise of safety and protection if there was no danger of attack?
In essence, before God tells me to trust and depend on Him, he first tells me who He is, what I gain from coming to Him, and what is at stake. If I will decide for Him, I need to know what I am getting into. So, which God do you know, or which God has been introduced to you: the One mentioned here, or the one that says come to me, and all your problems are solved.
He also speaks about strength, because He knows days of weakness, pain and trouble are coming. They are a part of this present earthly phase, but how far I go in this life depends on who goes with me and supplies the strength needed to stand up. If I go with other men like myself, what happens when our combined strength is depleted? What happens when we all do not know what to do next? It then means that what I truly need for the journey ahead isn't so much about what man can do, but who God is and what he has promised.
It is God's nature to be faithful to His Word. It is man's nature to be consistent only as long as the elements, weather, finance and opportunities all agree with the promise. Which one would you prefer, considering that your life actually depends on your choice?
He is called a very present help in trouble, because at the time you need Him, he is always there. He proactively provides what you need, even before the problems arise. And that is the basis of the confidence we have in God, that we will not fear. No matter how the world convulses and shakes, we will not fear. Even when the unusual happens, our confidence is in the God who has warned ahead that these things will be, and provided a place of safety and security for us.
I note that God does not say that we will NOT be affected; it is his prerogative how, when and to whom things happen; however, the assurance of my location in Him, and the benefits of His presence give me the confidence that no matter what comes, they have to pass through Him to get to me.
If they happen to me, as long as I am in the very place of refuge provided by God, they are not surprises to Him. It is like prescription carefully measured out and dispensed by God to match my situation. If I am where God has provided, then whatever meets me there will work out for my good. The world's standards measure good in different ways, but God measures good by different standards. Disaster, peril, storms, winds are tools in His hands to work out his purpose just as physical and spiritual blessings are.
As His child, I must trust that God knows what He is doing, and as long as I remain IN Him, I am truly safe. The world's high fences, fat bank accounts and deep connections are good but limited; only in God is anyone truly safe from the storms that are here and still coming. Where are you presently located? Is God your refuge and strength, or do you have viable options? Guess you also know you cannot keep 2 places of refuge at the same time. You are either fully invested in God, or you are fully invested in human schemes for safety. There is no room for playing both sides. Time will tell whether other options were worth it, but God has already warned that only in Him are we truly safe. His time of favour is here.
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