Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way; though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

This Psalm depicts absolute dire circumstances.

The earth gives way.

The earth literally moves away.

The mountains are moved into the sea.

Tall giant mountains are now in the water.

The water surrounds, causing the mountain to tremble.

Real calamity.

But yet, the psalm starts with God.

God is a present help in the midst of earth shattering consequences.

He is above the fray.

Has your life given way?

Do you have important people or situations impossibly thrown into the sea of chaos?

God promises to be your strength in the midst.

In the midst of the swirling waters, which make no sense, God is there.

He is present even in the midst.

Even in the unanswered prayers.

Even in the misunderstood situations.

Your life can become like nothing you recognize, but you can still rely in God.

He has, is, and always will be with you.

But it is your choice.

God cannot remain your ever present help if you choose to focus on the storm.

On your mountain which has been thrown unexpectedly into the sea.

When the safety of the ground beneath gives way, what is your response?

Trusting God, who promises to be your refuge in the midst?

God is our present, real, never leaving help in trouble.

Because of this, we will not fear when life throws up around us.

Why?

Because our God stands with us.

In Him we find refuge and strength.

Photos by Christian Cueni & Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash

Nothing New Under the Sun

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

When Solomon declares this, I find encouragement.

My problems are not new.

My multitude of traumatic events are not new.

Masks will come and go.

Death and life will arrive and cease.

Full of themselves teenagers will grow and leave.

The school year will begin and end.

The burnt dinner smell will even leave.

Thankfully.

It’s what we do in the middle that counts.

In the middle of the storm.

In the midst of heartache.

How do you cope?

What fills you back up?

The world offers many options, which all pale in comparison to Jesus.

Jesus fills you with His peace while waiting for the storm to end.

Jesus wipes away your tears as you cry again for a child.

And He protects you when you are battling a mighty storm.

Because Jesus is stronger.

Mighter.

He is Almighty God.

Allow Him to help you.

Allow Him to guide you.

And allow Him to show you your next step forward.

Because to Jesus, there is absolutely nothing new under the sun.

Photos by Bonnie Kittle,  Aaron Burden, & Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash