The Bible is the word of God and gives us real answers to big questions.
It provides the best possible hope we can have. In Psalm 46, the
psalmist has this assurance for us: verse 1: 'God is our refuge and
strength, A very present help in trouble.' No one would doubt that this
is a troubled time. But God has promised to be '...our refuge and
strength.' in trouble, especially now. Surely we must turn to God. He is
the one who can help us. He is the Christian’s shelter. We all know what
it is to be sheltered, maybe under a tree when the weather is inclement.
God has promised to be a shelter for us. He is our shelter in the blasts
of life when we come under His protection.
He is also our strength. The fact is that we have no strength of our
own. We have come away from God. We have turned our backs on Him. we
have broken His good laws. The Bible calls this sin. But although we
have sinned and therefore offended God greatly, He will forgive us when
we turn from our sins and trust in Him.
How is it possible for God to be our refuge and strength? It is possible
because God has sent His son the Lord Jesus Christ to come into the
world as the Saviour for our sins. 1 John chapter 4 verse 14 says:
'...the Father has sent the Son as the Saviour of the world.' Jesus
Christ did not stay in heaven, He came down to this world. He became a
man. He knew the hardships and sufferings of this earth. we are told 'A
Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief', Isaiah 53:3b. His sufferings
peaked when He died on the cross. When Jesus died, He did so as a
sacrifice for our sins. Christ died in the sinners place. 'For Christ
also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God.' 1 Peter 3:18. But three days later He rose
again. Some time after, He ascended into heaven and sits at God's right
hand. He really does welcome those who come to Him by faith. He will
welcome you. He said '...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast
out.' Come to Christ. Keep on coming to Christ. He will receive you with
open arms. If you have never trusted in Christ as your saviour and Lord,
then I would urge you to do so. If you are trusting in Him, you can say
with assurance: '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;' Psalm
46:1-2.
Amen