HOPE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

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

The Word of God gives us assurance of HOPE IN TIMES of TROUBLE: “GOD is our refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE” (Psa.46:1). God is our refuge, our safe place, our retreat from threats of fear. God is also our Strength or “Power,” the Helper Who is always found in times of trouble. We therefore need not be afraid though fear pervades. However, a place of refuge and a source of strength wouldn’t do any good if unavailable. We need safety and strength that are close by. Thankfully, God is our EVER-PRESENT Helper. Jehovah shares His unlimited resources with us; and is always near, nearer to us than we are to ourselves!

In Psalm 46, the author recalled the Help he found in the Lord. Though the specific historical setting is unknown, we know it was a devastating time for Jerusalem. The people of God were surrounded by an oppressive foreign army that threatened their very existence. In the midst of this siege, God Himself was their fortified bulwark of defense. Under the threat of an invasion, He protected them from their enemies and gave them an overwhelming victory. Could there be a greater promise for the beleaguered soul than this: “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; GOD SHALL HELP HER, just at the break of dawn” (v.5).

In his most difficult hour, he reaffirmed that the Almighty God is all-present. “Her” refers to Jerusalem, the city of God, where His people resided. As they came under assault, God Himself was within her walls with the full power of His might. The word “midst” used here depicts the innermost part of something, used elsewhere in Scripture to mean the bowels of a sacrificial animal. It revealed that God is not distantly removed from His people, but always near them. As Believers, this remains our confident Hope and assurance: In Christ, we’re immovable and upheld. Our God, who steadfastly upholds us, is far greater than the forces that threaten us. God is in our “midst” – at the very center of our lives. He indwells us and lives within us. This inner power is necessary because we are surrounded by many trials and much tribulation.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we continue to be surrounded by many pressures in life. Amid these difficulties, we can be prone to emotional collapse and paralyzing panic. But by faith, followers of Christ are divinely preserved, even though they are battered and besieged. The “trouble” that the Psalmist spoke of is the word for “tribulation,” “trial” or “distress,” which Christ spoke of (Jh.16:33). Yet, God is our Refuge and Strength, our Helper through all trials. Verses 2 and 3 explains how extreme and terrible the troubles could be: “Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (vv.2-3). That’s the picture of the world, especially post-Pandemic – a chaotic catastrophe of a great magnitude.

Amidst the terrors of the times, we find God to be our Greater and Ever-present Helper, Refuge, and Strength. Because God is immovable, we are made to be immovable. As we put our trust in Him, we are anchored in His steadfast love and strengthening grace. He promised His Presence and Power when trials assail us; and to never leave or forsake us (Heb.13:5). We need not cave in to threatening pressures or collapse under the fear of the future. God will make His comforting Presence and Sustaining Power real to us. He’ll show us how near and how strong He is. We shall survive our present difficulties as we hold on in Hope to God as our Refuge, Strength, and ever-present Helper.

In the midst of mounting troubles, we are given the strength of heart that only God can provide: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge” (vv.7, 11). In adverse times, we’re not without Hope. God supplies His all-sustaining Strength, Grace, Peace and Joy.