GOD Is Our Refuge and Strength

              In Psalm 46:1-3 quoted below, and considering the worldwide devastation we have seen in this year 2011, it is amazing to note how the world refuses to involve GOD as the Maker of the Heavens and this earth.  It is generally always, “Mother Nature.”

              It seems, (at least in my mind) the “World” can only describe the beauty and the love that ensues from GOD.  Yet, in reading my King James Bible, I find many times the wrath of GOD portrayed.  (I cannot say that these horrendous occurrences happening now are the Will of GOD,) but along with our failing economy, our weather has caused great devastation in our country, and it has affected thousands of families.

              Our verses tell us that GOD is “…a very present help in trouble…”  Yet when these times come, where do we look?  We look to Big Brother Government that does not know its right from its left.  FEMA seems to be the answer.  (FEMA ordered thousands of mobile homes and had them sent to New Orleans, and then

realized there was no water, electricity, or sewer service available.  No one had checked to see if these services were available.) 

              Big Brother Government only knows the god of spending tax dollars, regardless of the need.

              Now I have severely digressed from what I wanted to discuss. 

Psalms 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

GOD “…is our refuge,..” He is our corner, (our cover we can snuggle under and know GOD is with us.)  “He is where I know I am safe and have the security of His wisdom and His protection.  Not only my refuge, He also gives me the strength I need to get through the trials and tribulations of this evil world.”

              He is our “help” in time of need.  If we wrap ourselves within GOD’s refuge (knowing His strength,) what else do we need?  We don’t need our government, and certainly not FEMA, nor any of our other government agencies, which are vanity.

              What we need is GOD.  (He is our Only help.)  We can endure through His strength, and His strength alone.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

              Look to Him, and remove your discouragement.  Look to Him, and rejoice that He and He alone is holding you up with His strength and His power.  He is with you.  Call on Him for help before you call on anyone else.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 46:1-3  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  (3)  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

A Very Present Help

                As I read the scriptures in Psalm 46:1-3 quoted below, a verse in Isaiah comes immediately to my mind:

Isaiah 41:13  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

              The phrase “…a very present help…” is what I want to key for this devotion.  In Isaiah, “…the LORD thy God…” tells us “…I will help thee.”  What more could we want than to know that our LORD God is present and He will help us.

              On any given morning, we feed our “welfare” cats at our back door.  It is always interesting to note when one gets grouchy, which ones will leave the scene and which stay.  Generally it is a Tomcat who gets pushy, (though there have been some very grouchy females,) and the other Tom’s start looking for an exit.  Yet, some stick around and encircle my legs, hanging close to me for protection.  They treat Sharil and I as if we are an “ever present help.”  (We are not an “ever present god.”) 

              Yet, many Christians claim “…very present help…” but seldom grace the doors of God’s House.  Others gather at Church to worship our Living God, the Creator and our ever “…present help..,” yet are much like our welfare cats.  When the feeding is done, no acknowledgement to God is ever given.  Many refuse to come to Sunday School, and the Sunday and Wednesday evening services.  Yet every one who is a member here wants the blessings of God.  They want themselves, their relatives, and friends on our prayer list, yet are not willing to be a blessing to God, or their so-called “Church Home.” 

              Our cats, unless providentially not able to attend, are always at their “feeding services,” rain or shine, night or day.  They attend.

              I can just hear it now, “Well Bro John we are much above Cats in God’s Creation.”  Believe me, I agree, but the cats know from whence their blessings come.  If we as Christians are not at the “feeding trough” of God and hearing His Living Word, how can we claim Him?  God teaches us that:

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  

Our “faith” needs feeding.  We need the “…very present help…” and we want His help,  yet we will not “put out our hand” for His “…very present help…”

              We as Christians have become the “vagrants of the world.”  We will do anything but “Trust and Obey” God.  We will change our Bible to a softer reading, less restricting version.  We will change churches to go to a Church where services are singing praises to Jesus and speaking only of His endless love.   What about commitment?

              God expects more of us than being a “welfare recipient.”  He expects us to be “producers of fruit.”  He expects our attendance in Church.  He expects us at all the services. 

              What do you expect from Him?                               

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 46:1-3     God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  (3)  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.