Refuge and Strength Series - Sept. 6-10

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

When the author of this Psalm, (which is actually a song) wrote the first sentence. He’s worshipping God, singing praises to him. It’s an important reminder of one of the best things we can do in difficult times.

Sometimes it’s the last thing we think of but praising God during a difficult season and remembering everything God' has gotten us through is so important, look at what he says in verse 8-10.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:8-10 NIV

There are two action lines here:

Come and see

and

Be still and know

What do we do when our family is sick? When anxiety has to tearing your hair out? When we’re in a tough position that we can’t even describe.

Come and see what God has done in your life before, and slow down, be still and know that HE is God.

That’s how we get through it, that’s how we find refuge and strength. Not in video games, in relationships, in drinks after work or any of that. God is our protection and our strength.

Nehemiah puts it this way:

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Being happy, delighted in God is our strength.

We’ll talk more about Nehemiah next week. God bless ya’ll!