HOPE AND HELP IN TRYING TIMES (2)

“God is out refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE” – Psalm 46:1

God as our Refuge and Strength, is the Unfailing Fountain of HOPE and HELP in TRYING TIMES: “God is our refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psa.46: 1-2). God’s Help is ever-present and steady, even in seasons of trials and times of troubles; hence the Believer in Christ has no reason to ever be hopeless! James 1: 2-4 says “My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” We can find Joy when it is least expected – in the face of diverse trials. Patience is often perfected through painful but hope-full processes!

The term ‘Trying Times’ refers to Hard or Tough Times, periods characterized by significant adversities, afflictions, challenges or hardship. These are moments or seasons that test our patience and resilience, and they may be personal, family, or collective. Whatever the “trouble” might be, there is always Hope in God as He steps in as our “VERY PRESENT HELP” – always ready to help when we need Him. Hope and Help are ultimately found in God alone. This does not infer that people can’t help and support us. It simply means that ultimate Help in all of life’s challenges is in the Hands of God alone: “Give us HELP from trouble, for the help of man is useless” (Psa.60:11).

When hard times hit, we need divine refuge. When weakness creeps in, we need strength beyond the natural, which comes only from God: “GOD is our Refuge and Strength...” (v.1a). Turning to Him and His Word, we’ll find Living Hope even in hard, tough, trying times. Whatever valley we may be passing through, we must never neglect the Hope that’s found in the Word: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the SCRIPTURES MIGHT HAVE HOPE” (Rom.15:4). The compass towards Hope always points through the Word of God, ensuring we never lose our bearings, but hang on, focusing our eyes on His Promises.

Hope may not always come easy, but in God, it never comes late, because “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; GOD SHALL HELP HER, just at the break of dawn” (vv.4-5)! Awareness of and abiding in God’s Presence will make the difference: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (vv.10-11).