Archived Verse Of the Week

- BsL

Over the last few months, it may appear as if the world we know it is crumbling around us. But most of us have never experienced empty grocery shelves, earthquakes, or businesses closing. But people from different countries who have experienced war and suffered under genuine persecution could offer us perspective. This is a new, different, and daunting world for most of us. But our God is the same. He has not changed; we can and must trust him. God is in control. He is trustworthy. He will help you, ask him for help, ask him to make his presence known in your heart and mind.

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These verses offer a powerful message of hope and comfort in times of trouble, reminding us of God's steadfast presence and protection.

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; the Israelites sang in Psalm 46, a song of confidence in God (Psa 46:1). Here, the psalmist depicts God as a haven where His people can seek safety from life's storms. In addition, he claims that God is their strength, strengthening their souls during difficult times. 

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God is omnipresent, meaning He is always close to those who call upon Him and comfort amid adversity. The word trouble means one is experiencing "need, distress, anxiety. When the storms of life come, God's people would be devastated without His assistance.

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How do we stay anchored as life's waves threaten to sweep us away? When confronted with a frightening diagnosis or when emotional or physical suffering is unbearable, or life becomes eerily ambiguous.
What should we do, in other words, when our current situation seems much too complex and convoluted for our limited knowledge and abilities?

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We look to God as our fortress and strength, a truth that the people of God understood back then and that we now experience even more fully in Christ. We discover that God is constantly on our side in times of hardship and uncertainty through Christ. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" in Romans 8:32. The Spirit is a very present help in times of need because of Christ, who lives within of us. This indicates to us the fulfillment of Jesus' vow to never abandon or forsake us (Matthew 28:20).

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When it seems as though nothing is concrete and the mountains might as well fall into the sea, we must first remember that we are not protected by better circumstances, avoiding problems or anything else found on this planet. Instead, our security comes from Jesus' rock-solid work on our behalf and the ever-present Holy Spirit, which has guaranteed our help and promised that we would return safely to glory.

And God has given it all to us in Jesus because He has accepted the penalty for our sins; all we know is grace. We may, therefore, confidently respond "of course" to the question, "will God continue to shelter us with his protection, satisfy us with his pleasure, and support us to battle another day of uncertainty with his power?" This indicates that we may rely on God to act in our best interests in order to enjoy eternal happiness with him. It implies that He will keep us secure in Christ even if His protection involves removing everything else, including our health, friends, families, and careers. It implies that because His name is invested in the lives of his people, He will aid us in surviving. No greater solace exists for us in our suffering and ambiguity.

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We are urged to "fear not," as His children, because Christ has won the ultimate victory, and we are confident that we share in His victory. He provides shelter not to pamper or indulge us but to comfort and fortify us so we can resist evil. The spiritual conflict between our just God and Satan's evil powers is still raging throughout the godless nations of the world.

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So how do we react to the unpredictability of life? We stop. We become still. We pray. We ask for help. We keep in mind that while we are not God, He is. And we have faith that he will do whatever it takes to be our mighty fortress, bring us new mercies, and use his might for our benefit. We keep in mind that he is God and that He is sufficient. Then we implore him to help us have more faith in Him during the uncertainty and pain and give us more of himself during those times.

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Let us read and meditate on Psalm 46:1-3 with an attitude of empathy and compassion, mindful of the suffering and difficulty many go through in life. Let us find consolation in the knowledge that God will never abandon us and will always be there to bring us comfort and serenity. Knowing that God is an impenetrable barrier separating us from whatever comes our way gives us courage. May we all be reminded of God's steadfast presence and put our faith in His protection.