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; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
(Psalm 46:1–3) In Psalm 46, the Psalmist describes various kinds of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods.
The Psalmist describes the world literally falling apart.
What about when life falls apart?
We’ve all been there— when we feel that life is falling apart. That time when everything in our lives is going wrong.
If that’s your situation, Psalm 46 is for you. Psalm 46:1–3 answers the question: What do we do, where do we go, when life falls apart? When life falls apart… 1. God is our Refuge A place of safety and protection. In the Hebrew context, “refuge” implies a shelter from danger or distress. Proverbs 30:26 tells us, “The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags.”
Badgers are kind of like a rabbit. A rabbit has no natural defenses, so it must hide in rough, jagged sections of rocks. The strongest predator cannot get that rabbit because it’s in the rocks.
If you run to God your refuge and trust in Him, He’ll protect you from the enemy. When life falls apart, God is our place of safety and protection.
2. God is our Strength To say that God is our strength is to say that He has the power and ability to help us. The Hebrew word conveys might and fortitude. The phrase “God is our strength” means that God is our source of strength, especially in difficult times. God is our strength. Even in the darkest times, we can find strength in God.
3. God is our Help “A very present help” indicates God’s constant availability and readiness to assist. Notice what the AMP Bible says: “A very present and well-proved help in trouble.” When times are tough, God’s help is very close at hand. We can come to God for the help we need when we need it. We know that He is always available to help us.
A lady was teaching a Sunday School class. When she completed the lesson, she asked the class to join her as she closed in prayer. Although she had her phone silenced and sitting on a table during the entire lesson, for some reason something in her prayer triggered Siri, and the pleasant female voice blurted out for all to hear, “Sorry, I can’t help you with that.” I’m glad Siri is not a messenger speaking for God! God’s word to us is always, “I can help you with that.” Without fail, God is a very present help in times of trouble.
Notice the words “in trouble.” In trouble means a tight situation.
The Israelites were in a tight situation at the Red Sea, and God came.
We can be certain that when we are in a tight place, God will come.
Notice the words “we will not fear.” If the worst possible thing happens—if the world literally falls apart, if our lives literally fall apart—we will not fear. God is bigger than whatever may happen.
Thought for the week: God can help you with that.
Prayer for the week: Pray for someone you know whose life may be falling apart.