Devotions: Do Not Fear

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Psalm 46:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

God is our refuge, strength and help in times of trouble. He is the one we can and should always turn to first. First, He is a refuge, our safe place of protection. Second, He is our strength, the muscle we need to fight the battle, stand strong and carry on when life is hard. Third, He is a very present help. Notice the wording there: He is here, not in an abstract way, but very present. His presence is all around us in a loving, protective, supportive way like a loving Father. It’s not just that He is available to help, He is here, with us when we need Him, and even when we think we don’t.

Most often, we stop at verse one. That is great help and encouragement, but that is not where the thought ends. Therefore is a very important word, linking what comes after with what was before. Because God is our refuge, strength and help, we will not fear. That is very important. It is one thing to read encouragement, but we need to do something with that encouragement. Not only do we need to turn to God for help in trouble, but we also need to resist fear. That is a leap that our minds would not necessarily take instinctively, and I think that is why the author continued the way he did. In the first verse he tells us that God is trustworthy, but then he goes on to tell us what to do with that trust: don’t fear. It doesn’t matter what happens, the earth could fall apart, shaken at its very foundation, yet we still should not fear because God is our refuge, strength and help. He is here, so we should not fear. God is bigger than the mountains, even than the earth itself. He is more powerful and mightier than any foe or disaster. And He is here, present with us. Even when life seems extremely fearful we should not, will not, fear because God is with us.

What are you going through? What is causing you to fear? Run to your refuge, seek His strength, bask in His presence knowing that He is here for you. Resist the urge to be afraid, trusting in the Almighty One who is all powerful and all knowing. Rest in His loving arms.

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