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Psalm 46 begins with a statement: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The psalm continues and provides the reason why we should not fear, and concludes, “Cease striving and know that I am God … that He is with us, and is our stronghold.”
It requires discipline and specificity to apply the truths of this psalm. We are assaulted by reasons to fear, reasons why we must strive and work hard to make things happen.
To control and manipulate life’s details illustrates that indeed. We are “in control,” and this is the American way, right?
Likely you too have heard “life happens,” and yes, it certainly does. Your day, or even life itself, can change with a phone call or text. Trustworthy foundations suddenly seem frail, fragile or unsteady — relationships, jobs, life plans, our health.
Most people in our culture embraced a philosophy that says to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, or we admire the self-made man or woman.
But is this idea truthful, worthy to base your life upon?
It sure places a lot of pressure on people, and sooner or later we face the truth that we do not control life. I think this philosophy sounds good, but it is anti-biblical. God never tells us that and no Scripture supports this idea.
Instead, God’s word says to trust Him.
He is our refuge, our shelter from storms or life dangers, and especially a shelter from deceptive false ideas. He provides safety and a place that we can fully trust.
Many people today tend to trust their personal life experiences rather than God or His word. In a nutshell, these people become their own standard of truth. People change, life changes, situations differ and many things influence our experiences, but God’s word does not change.
God Himself does not change. He is our strength: powerful, strong and firmly established.
Think of a time when you saw God’s power and recognize that He protects you with that power. This is why we can choose trust, rather than embrace fear.
Even when circumstances around us are unstable and completely unpredictable, we are never forced into fear, but instead, we may choose to trust Almighty God.
Take a few minutes to read and think about Psalm 46. God is with us. He IS our stronghold, protector, the One who fights for us.
I’m so grateful, aren’t you? Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
