God’s Promise and Scripture

God’s Promise: God is our refuge

Scripture: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Devotional

Read Psalm 46

The psalmist begins this psalm by recounting this truth and promise: “God is our refuge and strength.” What does it mean that He is our refuge and strength?

Growing up in southwest Louisiana, I have experienced quite a few storms. I have seen shelters destroyed, landscapes devastated, and lives deeply affected by storms. But God is our refuge. HE is the place we can run in the midst of a storm. Having a refuge or shelter doesn’t change the storm itself or make it end, but it radically changes our experience through a storm. A stormy night can be pleasant when staying in the house for the evening, but not so pleasant when caught in the middle of a lake or driving on a highway in the middle of nowhere. 

Now, can our God end the storm? Absolutely yes. We see this with Jesus on the boat with the disciples. But, there are many storms that God allows to gain power and blow through. And He is the cave we run to, the shelter over us in those storms. 

Having a shelter does us no good if we’re not inside of it. When I was in middle school, my family lived out on some land with not many other houses around, but there was one neighborhood across the highway from us. We had two dogs at the time, and they were both outside pets, hardly ever coming into our house. Any time it stormed, one dog would bolt across the highway to that neighborhood where other dogs lived, just hoping to be let in by an owner more gracious than my parents. And our other dog would watch this happen and wisely not follow. She would instead come to our covered front porch and beg to be let in, staying dry all the while. The dog who ran, trying to solve her own problems was always caught in the storm somewhere. But the dog who was content to stay near her owners and trust their provision was always safe and dry when it ended. Having a shelter does us no good if we’re not inside of it. We have to choose where we’re running when the storm comes. 

God is our refuge and strength. It’s ok to be weak, because He is our strength. Psalm 62:6,8 says, “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” I shall not be shaken. I repeat those words to myself consistently. I shall not be shaken when I pour out my heart before God. This is the place we experience His strength the most – when we show Him the depths of our weakness.

Psalm 145:18 says God is “a very present help in trouble.” God is not our refuge or strength from far away. He is near to all who call upon His name. And now, as believers, the Holy Spirit is in us! That’s how present our Help is!

In Psalm 46:2, we see that with this understanding of God, comes lack of fear. In the midst of danger, we have shelter and courage. Praise God!

In verse 8, we see the psalmist was able to express this deep trust in God’s character and provision because he had beheld the works of the Lord. Take time today to behold (consider, look at, meditate on) the works of the Lord. Behold God become man for us. Behold the Lamb of God slain for us. Behold His faithfulness to You throughout Your life. Behold His creation. Behold your future hope in eternity with Him. Behold the works of the Lord.

Lastly, in verse 10, we are encouraged to let go, relax, and acknowledge God’s supremacy. Be still today, and know that He is God, our refuge and strength.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What do you need God’s strength for today? Choose to run to Him with this storm and pour out your heart before Him.

2. List 5 “works of the Lord” that you can choose to behold this week.

3. What do you need to let go of in order to acknowledge God’s supremacy?