Making Time for God

47. God is our Strength and Refuge

It's me again God,

I don't remember refreshing my newsfeed so many times before these recent times! Each day, I am eagerly looking for some good news amongst the seriously gloomy nature of reports on the escalating COVID-19 crisis but it just seems like everything is getting worse!

In contrast, it's becoming more and more refreshing to just open Your Word and find the Good News that speaks to everyone, no matter which part of the world they are in. This morning I felt You drawing me to Psalm 46, which starts with the most wonderful statement:

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As Your children, we are all in this together and it is so reassuring to know You are the refuge or safe place for us to run to as well as the One who will keep each of us strong through whatever is to come. In addition to fearing the illness itself and managing all the restrictions to daily living, financial fears are beginning to hit home for many people. The outlook is very grim but this verse reminds me that while I might feel very isolated and unsure of the future, You are always with me and will help me in whatever trouble comes my way.

"Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar
and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar,
kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:2-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You that even in the worst case scenario, we don't need to fear because You have everything in hand! I just need to remember what You have done in the past:

"The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:7-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You have power and authority to change the current situation we are in, just as You have at many other times in history!

Finally as I read on, I see this last part of the Psalm that shows me what I am to do:

"He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I sense that this is very important for us all to grasp! We are so used to doing things and being in control of our lives. This whole crisis is perhaps pushing us to realise that we need to just be still with our striving to make sense of it all and instead acknowledge You as God. You are the One who must receive all the glory!

I exalt You Lord and am determined to give You the place of honour that is rightfully Yours in my life. I pray that all the nations of the world will realise that they must be still and know that You are God. Even if we can't physically meet with others to exalt You, I pray that You will rejoice to hear the praises of a world, united in taking refuge in You!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.