Love That Never Fails

86. God Is Our Strength and Refuge

In a time when so many people are experiencing financial strain due to hard economic tim d, it's easy to fall into a cloud of gloom! It's hard to see the way forward when month after month goes by with little change! How refreshing it is to read Psalm 46 and know that we are not alone in challenging circumstances:

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
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.
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.

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 ‭46:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How wonderful to remember today that our strength is found in God! When we go to Him in prayer, we take refuge from the many things we perceive to be threatening us. He keeps us safe day and night in whatever is happening in our world. God is in charge whether people realise it or not and He is asking us to just be still and really know Him.

Have you thought about how you could create space in your schedule to just sit and spend time getting to know God? It's sounds so easy but we rarely do it well, as we quickly become distracted by many things we see as more pressing.

God wants that place of authority in our lives where we take time to exalt Him for who He is. Even in our churches, we can be too busy with all the programs and activities that are going on to really give Him the place of honour that He deserves. Now is the time to make some lasting changes and to take time to sit with the Lord each day!

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

You are the only place I can truly run to and seek refuge from all the problems that often seem to surround me. You are my one true source of strength when I become too tired to keep going. Thank You for these wonderful encouraging words from Psalm 46, which really do lift me up!

I exalt You Lord my God and will forever sing Your praises!

Amen.